The Triumphal Entry

Even though we celebrated the resurrection of Jesus earlier this month, in our chronological study of the Bible, we have reached the Biblical account of the crucifixion, death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord. It is a good time to remind ourselves, absent many of the events associated with the Easter holiday, that Jesus died to pay the penalty for our sins, and that He was raised from the dead, making a way for us to be saved into eternal life with Him.

Thank you for continuing this journey of The Gospel Project^® for Kids. Sunday’s Bible account focuses on The Triumphal Entry (Matthew 21:1-17; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:28-44; John 12:12-19). The Sunday before Easter is Palm Sunday—the day Jesus entered Jerusalem as the King of kings the week before Passover. Many of God’s people traveled to Jerusalem for Passover. Jesus and His disciples traveled to Jerusalem as well. Near Bethphage (BETH fayj) and Bethany near the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples ahead into a village. Jesus told them, “You will find a young donkey tied there. No one has ever sat on it. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone says to you ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it.’” Jesus was going to fulfill a prophecy by the prophet Zechariah that said, “Look, your King is coming to you, gentle, and mounted on a donkey.” (Zechariah 9:9)

Jesus made a spectacular entrance into the city. He rode a donkey, and people laid branches and their robes on the ground in front of Him. The people welcoming Jesus into Jerusalem believed He was the promised Messiah, but they expected Him to overthrow Roman oppression and set up an earthly throne. Jesus sent a different message.

Jesus entered the temple and turned over the tables of the moneychangers and those selling doves. Read Isaiah 56:6-7. Jesus referred to Isaiah, declaring that His kingship would not just be over the Jews but over all people. While Jesus was in the temple, He healed the blind and the lame. Check out the words of Isaiah 35:4-6. Jesus’ actions declared, “I am not just your King; I am also your God.”

Finally, the priests and the scribes heard the children worshiping Jesus as their King. “Do You hear what these children are saying?” they asked. Jesus replied, quoting Psalm 8:2: “Have you never read: You have prepared praise from the mouths of children and nursing infants?” Jesus gladly received their praise because He was worthy of their praise.

As we prepare for and celebrate Easter, help kids connect the dots between God’s promises of a Messiah and Jesus’ coming. Help them understand why Jesus came: to save the world from sin!

Use the following activity with your children to revisit the Bible content for the week: Conduct a parade through your home. Allow one child to march around while other family members wave their arms and show excitement as he marches by. Read Luke 19:28-44 and remind kids that people welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem as King! Talk about ways that others can see that Jesus is King in your life.

The Last Supper

This Sunday in The Gospel Project^® for Kids, our journey takes us to The Last Supper in John 13–17. Although this is the same event as we focused on last week, this week we are emphasizing Jesus washing the disciples’ feet. Our story starts when Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, approached the religious leaders. (Matthew 26:14-16) For 30 pieces of silver, Judas agreed to betray Jesus. Hundreds of years before Jesus’ birth, David prophesied the Messiah would be betrayed by a close friend—one who broke bread with Him. (Psalm 41:9) Jesus knew Judas Iscariot’s true motivations from the moment Jesus called him to be a disciple.(John 6:70-71; 13:18-19; 17:12) Jesus’ death and resurrection was God’s plan from the very beginning. (Acts 2:23)

During the Passover meal on the night He was betrayed, Jesus did something very unusual. Knowing that His death was near, Jesus washed His disciples’ feet—even the feet of Judas. (See John 13:2-11.) Jesus set forth an example of love and humility for His disciples to mirror in their own actions towards each other. (John 13:14-16)

After Judas left to betray Jesus, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in Him” (John 13:31). He told His disciples He would prepare a place for them (John 14:1-4), promised that the Holy Spirit would come to them (John 14:26; 15:26; 16:7-14), warned them about the trials they would face as His followers (John 16:1-4, 33), and encouraged them through prayer (John 17:9-19). Jesus also prayed for all who would believe the gospel from their testimony. (John 17:20-26) Then Jesus led them to the garden where He was betrayed and arrested.

In the Old Testament, God made a covenant—or promise—with His people. He gave them commandments to follow so they could live in right relationship with Him. God’s people broke the covenant. They didn’t obey God, and they didn’t love Him. Jesus made a new covenant by dying on the cross. He brought forgiveness and made the way for people to know and love God again.

When believers participate in the Lord’s Supper, they remember the last night of Jesus’ life, when He prepared to take God’s wrath upon His sinless shoulders. Believers also proclaim His death and resurrection until He returns for His church, like He promised. (John 17:24;1 Corinthians 11:26)

Use the following activity with your family to reinforce learning:

Begin your time with prayer. Review John 13–17. Using a pitcher of water, a bucket, and a towel, wash your family members’ feet. Remind kids that Jesus washed His disciples’ feet at the last supper. There were no paved roads in Jerusalem, and everyone walked everywhere they went. Feet were probably stinky! Normally, the least powerful person in a household would wash feet, but in this story, Jesus, who has the power of God, humbly washed His disciples’ feet.