The Humble King and Prophet

1. What Kind of King Did They See?

Read Matthew 21:1-11 and picture the scene. The people shouted, Hosanna to the Son of David! They remembered God's promise that a descendant of David would rule forever. But Jesus did not ride a war horse—He sat on a young donkey.

And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me. And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them. All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass. And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them, And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon. And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way. And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest. And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this? And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.

Why did Jesus choose to enter like a humble king instead of a warrior who would fight the Romans? How would you have felt if you were in the crowd?

2. What Were the Crowds Really Asking For?

The people shouted words from Psalm 118, crying out for salvation. In their minds, that meant being rescued from the Roman army. They wanted a political hero, not a Savior who would die for their sins.

When you talk to God, do you mostly ask Him to change your circumstances—like fixing a bad grade or stopping a bully—or do you ask Him to change your heart and forgive your sins? Why is forgiveness a bigger need than an easier life?

3. How Is Jesus the Prophet Like Moses?

The sermon called Jesus a royal prophet. God once promised to send a prophet like Moses to lead His people. Here is that promise:

The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken. — Deuteronomy 18:15

Moses led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, but Jesus came to rescue us from the slavery of sin. What does it mean for you that Jesus is not only a King but also a prophet who speaks God's Word perfectly—and then went to the cross to make forgiveness possible?

4. Why Did the Crowds Miss the Point?

By the end of the week, many of these same people would turn away from Jesus. They liked Him as a prophet and miracle worker, but they did not want a Messiah who would die for their wrongdoing.

Have you ever wanted someone to help you in one way, but they knew you needed something deeper? How can you avoid misunderstanding Jesus' mission and trust that He knows what you need most?

5. How Will You Respond to the Humble King?

Jesus did not come to Jerusalem to fight Rome. He came to give His life so that sins could be forgiven. That is the rescue we truly need.

If Jesus is your King and the prophet who died for you, what is one way you can honor Him this week when you are at school, with friends, or at home?