PASSAGE GUIDE
Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem marks a profound moment of tension and irony—he is “kinged” on Sunday and crucified by Friday. The crowds cheer “Hosanna” as he rides into the city, recognizing something royal in his arrival, yet by the end of the week, many will be shouting “crucify him.” Matthew carefully builds to this moment, where Jesus’ actions force people to confront who he truly is. His choice to ride a donkey—a deliberate move rich in prophetic symbolism—demands that onlookers reconcile their assumptions about the Messiah with the humble figure before them. This is not the king they were expecting.
This moment also captures a deep clashing of kingdoms. Jesus arrives not as a warrior king on a warhorse but as the Prince of Peace on a donkey, fulfilling Zechariah’s vision of a gentle, righteous ruler. The people long for a political liberator—someone to overthrow Rome and restore Israel’s national power. But Jesus offers a different kind of kingdom, one rooted in humility, sacrifice, and reconciliation. His symbolic actions directly confront the dominant hopes of the crowd. While they want triumph, Jesus is preparing for the cross.
Matthew draws attention to how Jesus reveals who he really is—the Messiah who suffers, not conquers. His quiet authority, his orchestration of events, and his fulfillment of Scripture speak volumes. Yet even as he reveals himself, the people still don’t fully see. They call him a prophet from Nazareth, a title that recognizes part of his identity but stops short of acknowledging his full mission. The tension between who Jesus truly is and what people want him to be is on display in this passage.
Even the logistics of his entry—two donkeys, garments spread like a royal carpet, chants from Psalm 118—underscore how expectations were being stirred. The crowd plays along with the symbolism, but do they understand it? Do they realize that this King’s path will lead not to a throne but to a cross? Jesus chooses to enter during Passover, when nationalistic hopes run high. He acts out his identity, forcing everyone—from religious leaders to ordinary pilgrims—to wrestle with what kind of Messiah has really come.
The kingdom Jesus brings is not one of force but of truth, humility, and self-giving love. And that kingdom is deeply uncomfortable and confronting. Matthew’s narrative shows the widening gap between the Messiah people want and the Messiah they ultimately reject. This passage calls us to examine our own assumptions: are we open to the real Jesus, or are we still hoping for a version of him who fits our expectations?
PERSONAL REFLECTION QUESTIONS
- What is the big idea or key question from the sermon…
- What is the Holy Spirit showing you…
- What specific step can you take this week to incorporate what you are learning…
*We are a church located in Greenville, South Carolina. Our vision is to see God transform us into a community of grace passionately pursuing life and mission with Jesus.
SUGGESTIONS FOR COMMUNITY GROUP QUESTIONS
Remember these are “suggested” questions. You do not have to go through every single one of them. No matter which campus you attend, these questions will help you open up a discussion in your group.
Opening Prayer: Open by thanking God for the kingship of Jesus and his victory on the cross. Ask the Spirit to reveal how your expectations of Jesus do not align with who he has revealed himself to be.
Read the Passage: Take time to read Matthew 21:1-17
Discuss:
- What stood out to you from the passage or the sermon?
- What did the Holy Spirit show you through the sermon or the passage?
- How would you summarize the main point from the passage and the sermons?
- What expectations did the crowd have of Jesus as he entered Jerusalem, and how did those differ from his true mission?
- Why would the things listed below have been problematic for Jesus and his disciples under Roman rule?
- Jesus allows himself to be embraced as a king.
- Jesus rides a donkey.
- The coats and palm branches.
- The crowd’s declaration.
- What does Jesus' journey to the cross tell us about the nature of God’s kingdom, and how should that shape the way we live?
- Where do your expectations of Jesus differ from who he has actually revealed himself to be?
- In what ways is the Spirit inviting repentance? Are there parts of your life that you are not allowing the authority of King Jesus to rule in?
- What questions does this raise in your own life?
Closing Prayer: Close your time by asking the Spirit to prepare your hearts for this week leading to the cross. Ask him to prepare the hearts of all that will be coming to Fellowship Greenville for Easter, that he would call people to himself and that people who are far from God would know his love for them and trust in his son.
Practical Application:
INVITE: Last week, we asked the Spirit to show us someone to invite to church for Easter. This week, be intentional about inviting that person to come with you to church on Easter and maybe even spend some of the day with them.
SERVE: Serving is one way that you can make it possible for someone who doesn’t know Jesus to hear the Gospel. Please volunteer to serve so that someone else might have the opportunity to know Jesus.