Coming in the Name of the Lord

                                                                      Sunday School Lesson
                                            

Lesson: Mark 11:1-11                                                                                                 
Golden Text: “And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord” (Mark 11:9).
I.  INTRODUCTION.  It seems that every society has parades or processions of celebration for many reasons.  Victorious armies and generals receive heroes’ welcomes at the end of a war.  Historic events are remembered often through parades.  Presidential inaugurations are always accompanied by spectacular, lengthy parades.  Ancient societies were no different.  Kings of ancient empires celebrated military victories with elaborate processions, displaying their plunder and captives.  So, the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem was not a unique event.  However, it was extremely significant.  It marked the recognition of Jesus’ remarkable ministry over the past three years.  But most importantly, it fulfilled the prophecy foretelling the presentation of the Messiah.
II. BACKGROUND FOR THE LESSON.  Our lesson takes place during the last week of Jesus’ life and reveals the final time that He would enter Jerusalem.  We determine that Jesus’ ministry lasted three years in part by observing the annual Passovers He attended.  Just prior to the events in our lesson, Christ had passed through Jericho, where He healed blind Bartimaeus and He dined with Zacchaeus who was converted (see Luke 18:35-19:1-10).  From Jericho Jesus and His disciples travelled up the steep winding road toward Jerusalem.  This is where our lesson begins.
III. THE PREPARATION (Mark 11:1-6) 
A. The place selected (Mark 11:1).  Our first verse says “And when they came nigh to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth forth two of his disciples.”  The phrase “they came nigh to Jerusalem” means that they came close to Jerusalem “unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives.  Bethany was on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives and was about two miles from Jerusalem.  “Bethany” is significant because it was the home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus, whom Jesus raised from the dead.  The precise location of “Bethphage” is unknown, but it must have been very close to Bethany.  The “mount of Olives” overlooks Jerusalem and was so named because of the many olive trees along the landscape.  Both of these towns were located “at the mount of Olives” or near the Mount of Olives and were probably on the main road into Jerusalem that was travelled by Jewish pilgrims coming to the Passover Feast.  Note:  The Mount of Olives was a special place of Jesus.  He often went there to pray and He was betrayed on the Mount of Olives before His crucifixion (see Matthew 26:30, 36-50; Mark 14:26, 32-46) and it was also the place from which the “men of Galilee” stood as they watched the resurrected Christ ascend into heaven (see Acts 1:10-12).  The garden of Gethsemane was also located on the Mount of Olives (see Matthew 26:30-36; Mark 14:26-32).  As Jesus walked between the two towns, He made specific plans for His entrance into Jerusalem.  At this point, the last part of this verse says “he sendeth forth two of his disciples.”  Jesus knew exactly what He was about to do.  On this day He would present Himself as Israel’s King, fulfilling exactly the prophecy in Zechariah 9:9.
B.  Instructions given to the two disciples (Mark 11:2).  This verse says “And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him.”  Jesus instructed the two disciples to “Go your way into the village over against you.”  This was probably a reference to Bethphage, the town next to Bethany.  Even though Matthew and Luke also mentioned the two disciples (see Matthew 21:1; Luke 19:29), their names are not given in any of the accounts.  Just after entering the town, Jesus said they would find “a colt tied, whereon never man sat.”  In other words they would find a colt or young donkey (see Matthew 21:2; John 12:14) that was unbroken or never had been ridden.  Note:  The fact that the colt had never been ridden was significant.  It was understood from ancient times that a beast of burden or other items dedicated for sacred use must never had been used for ordinary work (see Exodus 20:25; Numbers 19:2; Deuteronomy 21:3; I Samuel 6:7).  God considered this to be essential in the presentation of His Son, just as it was essential that He be born of a virgin (see Luke 1:34-35) and He be buried in the new unused tomb belonging to Joseph of Arimathea (see Luke 23:50-53).   Once the disciples found the colt, Jesus said they were to “loose him, and bring him.”  They were to untie the young donkey and bring Him to Jesus.  Note:  According to Matthew’s gospel there were two animals, a mother donkey, called an “ass” and the “colt” was the donkey’s offspring or “foal” as described by Zechariah’s prophecy.  Jesus told the disciples to bring the mother of the colt as well and they did (see Matthew 21:2-7).  Mark and Luke only mention the colt since that was the animal Jesus rode.  Many scholars believe that Matthew misunderstood Zachariah’s prophecy.  But this could not be the case since Zechariah’s prophecy mentions two animals as well.  Matthew was simply emphasizing what Mark 11:2 and Luke 19:30 declared: that the colt had never been ridden before.  Since the colt had not yet been ridden, it was wise to bring the mother donkey to walk alongside the colt to keep it calm in the midst of the crowd while Jesus rode it.  Since Jesus came to fulfill the messianic prophecy of Zechariah 9:9, which foretold His reign of peace, it was only fitting that Jesus ride a donkey instead of a horse which was normally ridden by military conquerors.   
C. Jesus anticipates objections (Mark 11:3).  In this verse, Jesus continued to say to the two disciples “And if any man say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye that the Lord hath need of him; and straightway he will send him hither.”  Jesus realized that an owner, a caretaker, or anyone might ask these two men why they were untying the animals (see Mark 11:3; Luke 19:31).  In case this happened, the disciples were to answer saying “The Lord hath need of him.”  Although Jesus is omniscient or all-knowing, and would know exactly where these animals were, it’s probably best to see this as a prearranged agreement between Jesus and the owner(s).  The words “The Lord hath need of him” may have been some sort of password that would be understood by the owner(s) of the animals.  Jesus said that when the owner(s) would hear those words, “straightway he will send him (the colt) hither.”  The disciples were not stealing the animals, they were simply carrying out the plan that Jesus, probably had already arranged.  There is some question as to whether “the Lord” here refers to Jesus or to the lord or owner of the colt.  It’s possible that the owner was a follower of Jesus and was actually with Him at this time.  If that was the case, the owner would have need of the colt in order to loan it to Jesus.  However, this is all unlikely because Luke’s gospel tells us that the colt’s owners were the ones who asked the disciples why they were untying the colt (see Luke 19:33).  Therefore, “the Lord” who needed it was Jesus.
D. The animal obtained (Mark 11:4-6).
1. (vs. 4).  This verse says “And they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door without in a place where two ways met; and they loose him.”  After getting Jesus’ instructions, the two disciples did exactly as He had commanded: “And they went their way.”  Here’s a good lesson to pass on to your students.  There are times when we may not completely understand all that God wants us to do.  In those moments we should respond with simple obedience.  As God brings about His plan for our lives, we’ll start to see the reasons why He has us do certain things.  Just as the Lord had said, the two disciples “found the colt tied by the door without in a place where two ways met.”  Jesus gave detailed information to help the disciples locate the animal.  The disciples found the colt tied up just outside the door of its owner’s house.  We can be confident that whatever instructions the Lord gives us will be just as accurate and true as those He gave to the two disciples.  Once they located the colt, they “loose him” or untied him per Jesus’ instructions.
2. (vs. 5).  This verse says “And certain of them that stood there said unto them, What do ye, loosing the colt?”  As Jesus had anticipated, questions were raised when the disciples started untying the colt.  Those who asked were “certain of them that stood there.”  Mark here describes the questioners as simply some who were standing around.  But Luke identifies them as the colt’s owners (see Luke 19:33).  The owners of the animal asked why they were untying the young donkey.
3. (vs. 6).  This verse says “And they said unto them even as Jesus had commanded: and they let them go.”   The disciples answered saying the Lord has need of him just as Jesus had instructed them, and no further questions were asked.  The owners permitted the two disciples to take the animal.
IV. THE PROCESSION (Mark 11:7-11)
A. The crowd’s recognition (Mark 11:7-10). 
1. (vs. 7).  This verse says “And they brought the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on him; and he sat upon him.”  The two disciples brought the colt (and its mother) to Jesus and undoubtedly joined by the other disciples, “cast their garments on him.”  The disciples placed their outer garments over the animal as a kind of saddle.   Then Jesus sat on the young donkey.  Luke’s account says that the disciples “set Jesus thereon” (see Luke 19:35).  However, Matthew makes it clear that they only helped Jesus onto the donkey.  Note:  Why did Jesus choose this method of transport to enter Jerusalem?  He didn’t need the animal to carry Him the short distance.  He did it to deliberately fulfill Zechariah 9:9-10, which portrays Israel’s King coming peaceably but openly.  Jesus advertized the spiritual and peaceable nature of His kingdom (see Micah 4:1-4) by riding a donkey, an animal associated with peace.  During His three year ministry Jesus had refrained from openly asserting that He was the Messiah.  He let His works speak for Him.  But now the time for silence was over and Jesus would openly present Himself as the Messiah.  However, the question had to be asked.  Would Israel receive or reject their King?  On this day they would receive Him, but a few days later they would reject Him (see Matthew 27:20-22).
2. (vs. 8).  This verse says “And many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down branches off the trees, and strawed them in the way.”  With Jesus’ disciples proclaiming His glory, in addition “many spread their garments in the way.”  The crowds now joined the disciples in honoring Jesus.  These people included pilgrims coming to Jerusalem for the Passover as well as people coming out of the city (see John 12:13).  These people honored Jesus by spreading their garments in His path.  In addition, “others cut down branches off the trees, and strawed them in the way.”  In other words, some in the crowds cut down branches from palm trees (see John 12:13) and cast them on the roadway before the Lord.  They laid their outer garments before Jesus, making a kind of red carpet that He could ride over.  Doing this was a way of showing honor to royalty (see II Kings 9:13).
3. (vs. 9).  This verse continues to say “And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.”   There were two crowds of people there to witness Jesus’ arrival: “they that went before, and they that followed.”  Both crowds of people in front and behind Jesus were shouting “Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.”  These words are taken from Psalm 118:25-26, which is a messianic Psalm and a prayer for the Lord to deliver and prosper His people.  Psalms 118 was one of the so-called Hallel or praise psalms which were traditionally sung on Passover.  Note:  During the three major Jewish feasts, Passover, Tabernacles and Pentecost, the Jews expressed gratitude and praise to God by singing Psalms 113-118 which were known as the great Hallel which means praise.  Perhaps in keeping with this custom, the crowds in front and behind the Saviour were shouting out a portion from Psalms 118.  The word “Hosanna” means “save now.”  However, over time, it came to be used as a shout of greeting, or an utterance of homage and praise, much like “Hallelujah!” or “Glory to God.”   The crowds also cried out “Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.”  This is a quote from the first part of Psalms 118:26.  However, in Psalms it was not a direct messianic reference, but a blessing pronounced on any pilgrim who came to worship at the festival.  But on this day, these words had a deeper meaning.  They pronounced a blessing on the One who came as the Lord’s special emissary and was therefore a hidden reference to Jesus as God’s Messiah.  Note:  These words show that the crowds had some idea that Jesus came with God’s authority, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that they recognized the true nature of His mission: which was to save His people from their sins (see Matthew 1:21).  In John’s account of this episode he actually wrote that the crowds shouted out “Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord” (see John 12:13).  But many people didn’t understand the spiritual aspect of Jesus’ kingdom.  They saw Him only as a political leader who could restore Israel to its past greatness.
3. (vs. 10).  The crowds continued to say “Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.”  This statement indicates that the crowd clearly identified Jesus with the kingdom of David’s Son.  They were expecting the restoration of the Davidic kingdom to Israel (see Hosea 3:4-5; Amos 9:11-12), and they were correct in doing so.  However, their understanding of the Messiah’s rule was totally inadequate.  The excitement of the moment sadly, was driven solely by outward appearances.  The phrase “Hosanna in the highest” should be taken as either a prayer asking for salvation, or a pronouncement of praise.  If we see it as a prayer for salvation, it would mean “Save now, You who dwell in the highest heaven.”  If we see “Hosanna in the highest” as a pronouncement of praise, it may have the same meaning as “Glory to God in the highest” (see Luke 2:14).  Note:  Whether we see this statement as a prayer for salvation or words of praise, unfortunately most of the crowd, even Jesus’ disciples didn’t understand the full significance of their own words and deeds (see John 12:16).  However, Jesus’ enemies understood, and they were beside themselves with frustration.  According to John 12:19 they declared, “Behold the world is gone after him.”  Luke 19:39 even tells how the Pharisees begged Jesus to rebuke His disciples for what they were doing that day.  Jesus answered that this was the day to recognize Him, even if the stones along the road had to cry out (see Luke 19:40).
B. The aftermath of the procession (Mark 11:11).  Our final verse says “And Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and into the temple: and when he had looked round about upon all things, and now the eventide was come, he went out unto Bethany with the twelve.”  Once Jesus entered Jerusalem amid all the pomp and circumstance, He went into the temple and “looked round about upon all things.”  Jesus didn’t enter the temple as a pilgrim to worship.  He entered it as its Lord on an inspection tour.  This resulted in His actions the next day when He cast the money changers and those who sold doves (see Mark 11:15).  After surveying the goings on in the temple, Jesus and His twelve disciples left Jerusalem and returned to Bethany to spend the night because “the eventide was come” meaning the evening had come. 
                                          
V. Conclusion.  Jesus Christ was the center of the most crucial parade in the world’s history.  He came as God’s promised King and presented Himself as the King.  The issue for us is whether we are willing to accept Him as the Saviour, the Lamb of God, who gave His life for us.  One day He will return and set up His kingdom.  Until then, we must allow Him to reign over our lives.