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PALM SUNDAY

Mark 11:1-11-Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem

This lesson includes Jesus’ instructions to his disciples to go and get a never-ridden colt; his ride through the city gates into Jerusalem; a general hullabaloo; the crowds shouting phrases from Psalm 118:25-26; Jesus entering the Temple, but after looking around, leaving it because it was already late afternoon.

Psalm 118:1-2; 19-29-Ancient Temple Entrance Liturgy

According to Claus Westermann, this psalm is a liturgical song that connects words and actions in worship. The psalm includes pieces of other psalmic genre such as an individual psalm of praise (vs. 5-14), an ancient victory song (vs. 15-16), a festive worship full of jubilation, happy shouting, and even dancing; (vs. 19-27), and concluding with a congregational shout of praise (vs. 28-29). Familiar "triumphal entry" phrases: stone rejected/cornerstone; God’s doing/ This is the day/ Save LORD! / God’s steadfast love endures forever.

John 12:12-16-The Triumphal Entry Johannine Style

Word spreads throughout the Passover crowds; the pilgrims’ shouts are: Hosanna! ("Lord, Save") and "Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord" and "Blessed is the King of Israel" (drawn from Psalm 118:25-26 and Zephaniah 3:15). A further Hebrew citation serves as a fulfillment prophecy-Zechariah 9:9: "Your King is coming to you sitting on a donkey’s colt." Typical of John, the disciples at the time of the event are not aware of the deeper meaning, but after Jesus was "glorified," they get it.

PASSION LESSONS:

Isaiah 50:4-9a-The Obedient, Suffering Servant

God has prepared this servant who is obedient to God’s mission. The lesson includes descriptions of sufferings of a violent, shameful kind: back for beating; pulling of the beard; mocking and spitting, etc. The passage closes with an acknowledgement that God is present to help and sustain the servant through such ignoble suffering. A prayer is made for God to vindicate his servant.

Psalm 31:9-16-A Lament . . .

This psalm includes a description of personal distress; they are scorned by their enemies / neighbors / friends; mention is made of plots that their enemies have hatched against them. The lamenter resolves to trust their future into God’s hands and into God’s unfailing love.

Philippians 2:5-11-Christ’s Humility and Exaltation

Paul says we should adopt the same attitude that Christ demonstrated in his incarnation: he didn’t cling to his divine prerogatives or status but chose humility and abasement over status and chose a selfless humiliating death. As a result, God has raised him to the highest heavens, conferred a new name that supersedes all other titles and names, so that at the mention of his name, all will bow in acknowledgement of his humility and exaltation.

 

Mark 14:1-15:47-The Passion of Jesus Christ

Here is Mark’s passion of Jesus in its broadest chronology:

Jesus is anointed at Bethany - 14:1-9

Judas agrees to betray Jesus - 14:10-11

The Last Supper - 14:12-26

Jesus’ prediction about him / Peter - 14:27-31

Jesus and disciples in Gethsemane - 14:32-42

Jesus is betrayed and arrested - 14:43-52

Jesus before the Sanhedrin Council - 14:53-65

Peter denies Jesus - 14:66-72

Jesus stands before Pilate - 15:1-15

Soldiers mock Jesus - 15:16-20

The Crucifixion - 15:21-32

The death of Jesus - 15:33-41

The burial of Jesus - 15:42-47