Sunday: Triumphal Entry
Why would everyone celebrate Jesus as their King? Jesus had talked about the Kingdom and used the language of the messiah, even doing miracles to validate who he was.
What kind of King were they expecting? They were expecting a king who would save them from their enemies, which at this time was Rome. They expected Jesus to overthrow Rome and set up a Jewish state.
Why did they turn against Him and want Him to be crucified just five days later? Jesus refused to be set up as a leader who took power in the way the people expected. He was a failed messiah in their eyes who implied a salvation he didn't deliver.
Monday: Temple Cleansing
What was the Temple supposed to be used for? Worshipping God
What were the people using it for instead? It was used by some as a place for gaining wealth and establishing exclusivity.
Why did this anger Jesus, and what did He do about it? God's house was to glorify him by the gathering of the nations for worship, but the actions of the people, and especially the leaders, were preventing the worship of God and the inclusion of all God's people.
How did this make the Pharisees feel? They were threatened by someone with as much popularity as Jesus, because their power rested on the consensus of the people.
Tuesday: The Annointing
Why did the woman pour oil on Jesus? She showed him the respect Jesus's hosts did not.
What did this act signify? It prepared Jesus for his burial.
Why were other people so upset that she did this? She was a sinner and unworthy to come near to a teacher like Jesus.
Why did Jesus praise her for it? She showed him respect and hospitality and gave what she could.
Wednesday: The Foot Washing
Why did nobody want to wash feet in their culture? It was a job for slaves and servants
Why was it strange that Jesus washed his disciples’ dirty feet? Jesus was the leader of the group and therefore the last one who should have been washing feet.
What was He trying to teach them? His Kingdom is an upside down one where to lead is to serve.
Thursday:
Why was Jesus so upset to the point of sweating drops of blood? He knew that the cross was imminent and he petitioned God to find another way.
When Jesus was asked to obey the Father, what did He do to strengthen Himself for obedience? He surrounded himself with his closest disciples and went directly to God in prayer.
Why did Jesus not want Peter to fight to protect Him from being arrested? Jesus is the prince of peace and he was submitting to the Father's will. He recognized that those who live by the sword, die by the sword.
Friday: The Garden of Gethsemane
Why did they make Jesus wear a crown? They were mocking him and his supposed claim to kingship
Did Jesus deserve to die on the cross? No
Why did He freely offer Himself to be crucified? To atone for the sins of the world
Saturday: The Burial
Why did the Jews ask to take down Jesus’s body and put him in the tomb on Friday? Saturday was the Sabbath and no work was to be done on that day.
Why was it interesting that Joseph of Arimathea offered his own tomb for Jesus’s body? Joseph was a part of the Sanhedrin, and it was odd to offer one's tomb, which is generally used for one's own family. It shows Joseph's view of Jesus as being very high.
Sunday: The Resurrection
Why was it important that Jesus was resurrected? It was the vindication of him as being who he said he was, and it solidified the defeat of death and sin. It is also a firstfruit for believers and is a hope for us of the promise we have in Christ.
How did his resurrection impact his followers? It gave them boldness in their faith and moved them out into the world to share the good news, even in the face of torture and death.
What hope does the resurrection give to those who follow Jesus? We have peace with God and the promise of eternal life with Him.
Why would everyone celebrate Jesus as their King? Jesus had talked about the Kingdom and used the language of the messiah, even doing miracles to validate who he was.
What kind of King were they expecting? They were expecting a king who would save them from their enemies, which at this time was Rome. They expected Jesus to overthrow Rome and set up a Jewish state.
Why did they turn against Him and want Him to be crucified just five days later? Jesus refused to be set up as a leader who took power in the way the people expected. He was a failed messiah in their eyes who implied a salvation he didn't deliver.
Monday: Temple Cleansing
What was the Temple supposed to be used for? Worshipping God
What were the people using it for instead? It was used by some as a place for gaining wealth and establishing exclusivity.
Why did this anger Jesus, and what did He do about it? God's house was to glorify him by the gathering of the nations for worship, but the actions of the people, and especially the leaders, were preventing the worship of God and the inclusion of all God's people.
How did this make the Pharisees feel? They were threatened by someone with as much popularity as Jesus, because their power rested on the consensus of the people.
Tuesday: The Annointing
Why did the woman pour oil on Jesus? She showed him the respect Jesus's hosts did not.
What did this act signify? It prepared Jesus for his burial.
Why were other people so upset that she did this? She was a sinner and unworthy to come near to a teacher like Jesus.
Why did Jesus praise her for it? She showed him respect and hospitality and gave what she could.
Wednesday: The Foot Washing
Why did nobody want to wash feet in their culture? It was a job for slaves and servants
Why was it strange that Jesus washed his disciples’ dirty feet? Jesus was the leader of the group and therefore the last one who should have been washing feet.
What was He trying to teach them? His Kingdom is an upside down one where to lead is to serve.
Thursday:
Why was Jesus so upset to the point of sweating drops of blood? He knew that the cross was imminent and he petitioned God to find another way.
When Jesus was asked to obey the Father, what did He do to strengthen Himself for obedience? He surrounded himself with his closest disciples and went directly to God in prayer.
Why did Jesus not want Peter to fight to protect Him from being arrested? Jesus is the prince of peace and he was submitting to the Father's will. He recognized that those who live by the sword, die by the sword.
Friday: The Garden of Gethsemane
Why did they make Jesus wear a crown? They were mocking him and his supposed claim to kingship
Did Jesus deserve to die on the cross? No
Why did He freely offer Himself to be crucified? To atone for the sins of the world
Saturday: The Burial
Why did the Jews ask to take down Jesus’s body and put him in the tomb on Friday? Saturday was the Sabbath and no work was to be done on that day.
Why was it interesting that Joseph of Arimathea offered his own tomb for Jesus’s body? Joseph was a part of the Sanhedrin, and it was odd to offer one's tomb, which is generally used for one's own family. It shows Joseph's view of Jesus as being very high.
Sunday: The Resurrection
Why was it important that Jesus was resurrected? It was the vindication of him as being who he said he was, and it solidified the defeat of death and sin. It is also a firstfruit for believers and is a hope for us of the promise we have in Christ.
How did his resurrection impact his followers? It gave them boldness in their faith and moved them out into the world to share the good news, even in the face of torture and death.
What hope does the resurrection give to those who follow Jesus? We have peace with God and the promise of eternal life with Him.