God still visits us today, and we must choose how we will respond to Him.

KEY VERSES

Luke 19:35-40 (NASB)

35 And they brought it to Jesus, and they threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. 36 Now as He was going, they were spreading their cloaks on the road. 37 And as soon as He was approaching, near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the miracles which they had seen, 38 shouting: “Blessed is the King, the One who comes in the name of the Lord; Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” 39 And yet some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples!” 40 Jesus replied, “I tell you, if these stop speaking, the stones will cry out!”

Matthew 21:8-11 (NASB)

8 Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others were cutting branches from the trees and spreading them on the road. 9 Now the crowds going ahead of Him, and those who followed, were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David; Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest!” 10 When He had entered Jerusalem, all the city was stirred, saying, “Who is this?” 11 And the crowds were saying, “This is Jesus the prophet, from Nazareth in Galilee.”

UNDERSTANDING

• What is a subject you’re “on the fence” about? When is it OK to be undecided about a subject? When is it not?

• In this week’s message, Pastor Jeff said that on Palm Sunday, God came to town. What might people do if God physically showed up in Bluffton, South Carolina? Would everyone respond the same way? Explain.

• What about you? How do you think you would respond if God came to town and walked into LCC this morning? Why would you react that way? Would everyone at LCC respond the same way? Why or why not?

• Take a minute to read Zechariah 9:9. In what way did Jesus fulfill this Old Testament prophecy in today’s passage?

• What were the people expecting Jesus to do when He reached Jerusalem (Luke 19:11 and Zech. 9:9)?

• What did the crowd affirm about Jesus in verse 38?

• What can you do in your own life to “prepare the way for the Lord” (Is. 40:3)?

• How did the Pharisees’ response contrast with the response of the crowd (v. 39)? What was so ironic about this?

• What is significant about Jesus’ response to the Pharisees?

• What is the difference in the way military heroes achieved their victories and the way Jesus would achieve His?

• What did the people indicate about their own view of and response to Jesus by laying down their coats and waving palms or branches along His path?

• How were the people’s expectations of the Messiah different from Jesus’ true intentions?

• When have your expectations about God been different from the way He has revealed Himself to you?

APPLICATION

• Pastor Jeff pointed out from today’s passages that some people respond to Jesus callously, some people respond to Jesus by celebrating, and some people respond to Jesus by asking, “Who’s this?” Which of the three best represents your response to Jesus? Why?

• People respond to Jesus callously because He upsets our rituals and the status quo. If God were to show up at your house today, what norm in your life might He upset? What should you do about it?

• How would you answer someone who sees your Easter celebration and asks about Jesus, “Who is this?”

WANT TO DIVE DEEPER?

Joining a group is a great way to know people and strengthen your relationship with Jesus Christ. Take a look at available groups to get plugged in to and find the group that is right for you. 

GIVING

Everything that happens at LCC is because of your generous gifts. When you give to God through LCC, you're helping reach thousands with the Gospel each week and are making a difference for the Lowcountry and around the world.