April 13th 2025
MATTHEW ch 21 OR Mark 11
Palm Sunday
Jesus came to Bethany on the Friday night to have a meal with Mary Martha and Lazarus. John 12
This tells of Mary’s action of the anointing of the feet of Jesus.
1) The name Martha stand for service ALWAYS BUSY
2) The name Lazarus reminds us of the communion
3) The name Mary stands for Worship.
Others came to Jesus asking for help and got it Mary on the other hand comes to worship her Saviour, giving her all Judas was angry at the waste of the ointment. Was this the final straw for him? That he should betray Jesus.
Saturday, the Sabbath so a day of rest.
Sunday Today,
Jesus is now ready Up to now Jesus was very cautious about making a scene and provoking the Pharisees
Here He challenges them and their authority. 5 days to go …. He must now declare who He really is .
Jesus was only 2 miles from the great city. On other occasions he walked in and out of the city.
But today was different He must announce His arrival as the Messiah.
Many walked that road, possibly staying in Bethany overnight. But not knowing who Jesus is
V 1 – 3
It is not known exactly where Bethpage was, only that it was just off the main route into Jerusalem
1) He dispatches his Disciples
2) He attracts attention those in Bethpage obviously knew Him.
To fulfil the prophecy of Zechariah ch 9 v 9 He must ride into Jerusalem via “the sheep gate”
Sheep were sold here for sacrifices, ……the priests having examined them and keep them for 7 days to make sure they are healthy.
Many travelers purchased their offering in this way. For the Passover feast.
The ass described would be needed to quieten the Colt.
It would have normally been the colt following the ass (mother) but in this case it had to be the other way around Zech 9 says riding on the Colt.
You can see the surprise on the face of passers-by. The question WHY?
The last person to do this was Solomon some 1000 years before. Others used horses
V 7-8
Now came the public recognition.
This must be someone special, A King? A revolutionist? Someone challenging authority.
Homage was due to him. So coats and leaves were laid in the way
1) For the colts sake?
2) in case he fell off? Well could be
3) if he were Roman where is the announcement of his coming?
Great pageantry was always given to any roman visitor or official.
But He didn’t look Roman ??? so just who was He?
The public who did know who Jesus was, got caught up in the excitement of the moment.
Was Rome now going to be challenged? Some thought so
V9
Hosanna……. Save us now. Fulfilment of Ps 118 v 25-26
Son of David
Previously Jesus had been careful about using this title
But blind Bartimaeus called it him a few days earlier when he received his sight so the people used it now.
V 10
WHO IS THIS? It is quite noticeable that Jesus rarely went to Jerusalem and the people were glad to see Him. Now was the right time to come…
The Scribes and Pharisees didn’t like it at all. trying to hush up the people but with NO effect
The Question was asked but they had not got the answer
With all their knowledge of the Scriptures they failed to see what was happening before them. Fulfilling Zech 9 v 9
A great deal of teaching was now about to take place
News from the Church New dates
16th April…. Knit and natter is a time to finish old projects or learn new skills
18th April …..Good Friday 10am An hour at the cross
20th April ….Easter Sunday 10-45 am and 6-30pm
7th May …..Friendship Group, (this covers all ages and the lonely people)
ANSWERS TO 30th March QUESTIONS
1) Ruth or Orpah 2) Rebakah 3) Zipporah 4) Rahab 5) Michal 6)Pharaoh’s daughter 7) Rachel
8) Hannah 9) Eve 10) Deborah 11) Jochebed 12) Naomi 13) Keturah 14) Gomer 15) Sarah
16) Queen of Sheba
Bible Quiz this week’s Quiz is OLD TESTAMENT WOMEN
1 Who was a famous Jewish Queen in Persia?
2 Who was Jacobs first wife?
3 Who was Isaac’s mother
4 Who were the 4 women who survived the flood?
5 Who was King Ahab’s wife?
6 Who was Solomon’s mother?
7 Who betrayed Samson?
8 Who was Jacob and Leah’s daughter?
9 Who was Cain and Abels mother?
10 Who was Joseph’s wife?
11 Who was Joseph and Benjamin’s mother?
12 Who was Abraham’s first wife?
13 Who did Esther become Queen in place of?
14 Who was Moses and Aaron’s sister?
15 Who was turned into a pillar of salt?
16 She told lies about Joseph and had him put in prison?
God Bless