King & Messiah

• The Jerusalem crowds see Jesus as a King and Messiah like Judas Maccabaeus who would defeat pagan armies and purify the temple (2 Mc. 10.1-9; Mt. 21.8-11). 
  • The crowds are right and wrong.
• Jesus presents himself as a  King who brings peace (Mt. 21.1-6, cf. Zech. 9.9-10)

• Jesus presents himself as the passover lamb who replaces the temple (Mt. 21.2-14, 26.1-2).

Application: 

• Jesus is the Davidic King and promised Messiah of Israel
• Jesus says “No” to the surface expectations of the crowds in order to say “Yes” to what they need most

Discussion Questions:

1. Describe a time when you didn’t get what you wanted AND it turned out to be for the best. 
2. How does Jesus prepare his followers to understand him as a passover lamb? Why does this bring Jesus into a kind of competition with the temple? 
3. Where in your life today do you need God to transform your expectations?