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When’s the last time humbled yourself and asked for help? Today’s study will reveal WHO Jesus is and HOW He responds to ‘The Cry for Mercy’.
Jericho is the 1st city the people of Israel conquered when entering the Promised Land (where the walls came tumbling down). This is also the city where Jesus had lunch with Zacchaeus (Lk 19:1-2), and the city Jesus uses as an illustration about the Good Samaritan helping the Jewish man who had been attacked and left for dead on this road.
Blind Men Who See
These men knew they were blind and knew they needed help!
Son of David is a term for the Messiah, the one who would sit on David’s throne as king.
The Messiah was to bring powerful miracles to His people. John the Baptist, while in prison, asked for evidence that Jesus was the Messiah.
These blind men (see Mt 20:29-30) who had heard of Jesus and His miracles - called “Son of David”, the ONE who would reign on David's throne forever! These men trusted WHO Jesus was!
Shouting At Jesus
Why did Jesus respond so graciously to these men?
- They SAW their NEED.
- They TRUSTED who Jesus was.
- They CRIED OUT for His MERCY!
These blind men followed Jesus to Jerusalem. Mark’s Gospel actually names one of the blind men - Bartimaeus (Mk 10:46).
Some scholars think this man likely became a dedicated disciple in the Jerusalem church and was known the the audience Mark was writing to.
Jesus and his disciples travel the difficult 14-mile journey (see video YouTube channel called SatelliteBibleAtlas)
He’ll Be Coming Over the Mountain
Zechariah 9:9 (NIV) Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. [*520 BC]
Palm Sunday
The cloak was outer clothing often used as a blanket at night. Those throwing their cloaks down were following the example of those who did the same when Jehu became king (841–814 BC - 2 Kings 9:13). This symbolizes submitting one’s life to the King’s authority.
John’s gospel tells us these were palm branches they laid before Jesus (Jn 12:13).
Almost 200 years before (165 B.C.), Judas Maccabees and the Jews ran Antiochus Epiphanes IV out of the temple and rededicated it. Palm branches were used in the celebration (1 Macc. 13:51; 2 Macc. 10:7), which became an annual celebration known as Hanukkah. Palms were stamped on coins minted by rebels during both major wars with Rome. So, palm branches had both a religious and political symbology of freedom from oppressors.
When Jesus comes riding down the Mount of Olives and into Jerusalem, the people are excited, having heard of His miracles including raising Lazarus from the dead in Bethany (just on the other side of the Mount of Olives). It’s no wonder why many think Jesus is the long awaited Messiah and they are ready to CROWN Him King!
Bethany to Jerusalem (over Mount of Olives)
The Cry for Mercy!
Hosanna is an Aramaic term that means “save us”, and the Son of David was a phrase that recognized Jesus as the Messiah who was in the family tree of King David.
- While these people didn’t have the BIG PICTURE yet, they SAW their NEED - freedom from their slavery under the Roman Empire.
- Trusting WHO Jesus was - the Son of David - the Messiah!
- Crying out for Mercy - Hosanna - “Save us! Save us!”
Both John and Luke note that some in the crowd specifically called Jesus “the King of Israel” (Jn 12:13, Lk 19:38). They were asking that God would SAVE (hosanna) through His Messiah! They are ready to CROWN Him King!
You Bad. Jesus Mad.
This is near the Court of the Gentiles - who could only go so far on the temple complex, to pray & worship Yahweh. Further, Jesus certainly believed that many of these people had wicked intent and were ripping people off. Even if these WERE fair deals, they shouldn’t be taking place on the Temple grounds, but easily could have been set up somewhere close to the Temple.
Compassionate Jesus & Angry Religious Leaders
The Mishnah (a collection of oral and written traditions including rabbinical teachings relevant to the time of Jesus) notes that Jewish people were expected to journey to Jerusalem to bring their offerings to Yahweh, but there were exceptions made for many with physical abnormalities including the blind and the lame. Some scholars even think that traditions had developed that didn’t allow people with physical abnormalities to come into the temple complex.
Yet Jesus welcomes these hurting people to come into His Father’s house. He touched them and he healed them! In response, the children probably echo what they have heard adults saying, and the children are SHOUTING, “Hosanna to the Son of David”! They are crying out “SAVE US! SAVE US!” Oh what laughter and excitement there must have been there!
But the religious leaders the chief priests (those who allowed the animals and money changers to be there in the first place) and teachers of the law who taught the people, were indignant - angry - about what was going on! They confront Jesus, saying…
Jesus didn’t come to rescue those who think they are righteous. Instead, Jesus comes to rescue those who:
- See your need. You have been blind to the truth about sin & the purpose of life. You can’t be good enough to earn God’s forgiveness…that’s why you have to…
- Trust WHO Jesus is. He is the Son of David - the Conquering King - who laid aside his crown to come as a Suffering Servant.
- Cry Out for Mercy. He will respond to your faith. Ask Him to open your eyes, clean your heart, & follow Him.
Have questions and need some help? …real soon…how about now? Please call or text us soon!
Take some time to discuss these questions with your family, friends, or group.
- How did the video about the journey from Jericho to Jerusalem impact you? How does it humble you to note that Jesus went to Jerusalem…ON PURPOSE, to make payment for YOUR sin?
- Share about the moment that you 1) Saw your NEED to be forgiven 2) Trusted Who Jesus IS 3) Cried Out for Mercy.
- Read Matthew 20:30-34. What do you appreciate about these blind men and why didn’t Jesus just treat them like the rest of the crowd did?
- Read Matthew 21:1-15. Why were the religious leaders so upset with Jesus? Why was Jesus so upset with them? TRUE or FALSE: Many Jewish people were believing Jesus was the Messiah. What part of Jesus’ mission did most of them not yet understand?
- Today’s BIG TRUTH: Trusting Jesus Transforms Lives. Take some time to tell some stories of folks whom Jesus has transformed.
- Share any ‘aha’ moments in today’s study - what you learned or how you were challenged. What’s God want YOU to do with what we studied today?
- Share prayer needs and pray for one another.
