Scripture
Luke 19:28-40
Open your mind and heart as you read the passage of Scripture aloud and then again quietly to yourself. Listen for God’s word to you.
Observation
Jesus had just told a parable. When He had finished He carried on with His journey up to Jerusalem, even though He knew what lay ahead for Him there. He gave precise instructions to two of His disciples, telling them to fetch a donkey which no one had ever ridden. He told them where they would find it and what they should say to the owner when he asked them why they wanted it. This was not an animal a king would ride. Donkeys were used by a merchant, a priest or a man of peace.
This may have been an arrangement that had been made earlier so Jesus could borrow this young donkey, for the owner did not object but let the disciples take it away with them.
A victorious king would often enter a city on a horse, accompanied by his subjects and his army. There would be a lot of cheering and people would sing songs of praise. The king would enter the city and make his way to the temple where he would offer sacrifices to his god.
Jesus turned these familiar traditions upside down. He rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, greeted by a crowd comprising all sorts of people. When He arrived at the Temple He did not offer any sacrifice but turned over the tables, chased out the merchants and cleansed the whole area.
The leaders were uncomfortable at the people’s reaction and they ordered Jesus to keep His followers quiet. But if He did, Jesus said, the stones would sing praise instead. This was the day, in His entire ministry, when Jesus was going to be praised as Messiah. All the disciples praised Him as they remembered all the wonderful things they had seen Jesus do.
Icebreaker:
What emotions do you feel just before you go through the final door when you are arriving home from a trip of a few days or more?
Application
- How do you feel if you are part of a crowd welcoming some of your heroes home? (Perhaps a successful soccer team or a musician you follow) Does the mood of the crowd affect your mood?
- How do you celebrate your heroes success? Would your reaction change if it was Jesus you were welcoming How? Why?
- If the mood of the crowd you were in turned ugly, what would you do? Have you ever experienced such a moment? Share briefly with the group what happened and the consequences of the event. How did it change you?
- Have you ever thought of the donkey as a role-player in this story? He followed where he was led, he did what he was told, he played ‘second-fiddle’ to Jesus – and later to everyone who rode him or used him. How does his humility compare to yours?
- What does it mean to you to have been redeemed? Do you ever think of your redemption? Why/why not? If Jesus was a member of your group, what would you say to Him today about the price He paid for your redemption?
- What do you think prevents you from being the person God wants you to be? What is holding you back? Do you want to be freed? How do you feel about giving these chains and your full potential to God? What would the statement, ‘God takes what we give Him and returns it to us better’ mean to you in this case?
- Are you willing to let Jesus change you? Why/why not?
- How is the Covenant prayer you prayed at the beginning of the year affecting your life? Is it having an impact, or have you put it behind you? Look at it again.* What one phrase stands out for you today? How can you put this into practice in your life?
- ‘The Lord needs you.’ What do you feel when you hear these words? What do you have – in your hand, in your life – that the Lord needs today? Are you prepared to offer it to Him? Why/why not?
- How can the group help you with the struggles you have mentioned during this session?
Prayer
Pray for one another in regard to the issues that have been raised during your discussion time, and in regard to other needs of the group.
Service
Ask God to show you what He needs from you this week and follow His lead in service. Where does He lead you? Share what happened with the group next week.
•Here is the Covenant prayer:
I am no longer my own but yours.
Put me to what you will,
rank me with whom you will;
put me to doing,
put me to suffering;
let me be employed for you,
or laid aside for you,
exalted for you,
or brought low for you;
let me be full,
let me be empty,
let me have all things,
let me have nothing:
I freely and wholeheartedly yield all things
to your pleasure and disposal.
And now, glorious and blessed God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
you are mine and I am yours. So be it.
And the covenant now made on earth, let it be ratified in heaven.’
Bibliography
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