In the story of Jesus, we are invited to see that even the most unwelcome or tragic events cannot thwart God’s plan to restore our world. Few places does this theme carry out more than in the story of Palm Sunday. This is a day when we celebrate and remember the arrival of Jesus in Jerusalem that then kickstarts a series of events that led to his death and resurrection. Jesus’ unjust trial and execution seem like a tragedy to his friends and family, yet for Jesus, his death was an expression of God’s love as he entered into our suffering so that he could overcome it. In this story of Jesus, we are invited to see that even in the midst of tragic things that cause angst or perceived futures that we allow to give us angst, God’s plan is always to restore our world.
Listen
Leaders listen to this short message from Grant Hickman on the Gospel of the Kingdom. You can listen to this on your own or with a group. As you lead your Home Community or family feel free to listen to the message and contextualize it for your needs.
Watch
Leaders, here is the video on Kingdom of God. Share this with your group ahead of time or watch it together and then answer these questions.
- What did you notice in this video that resonated with what is going on in your life right now?
- What did God teach you about who he is?
- Is there anything that you want to share with other people?
Read
This is to be shared with the group throughout the week so that we might all study Scripture together.
Read:
The people expected Jesus to bring peace and rule as king in a way that they could understand. Jesus grieved over this because he knew they would suffer, and he longed for them to see him as the true King through his suffering. Like Jesus, it’s okay to grieve over shattered expectations and suffering.
Question 1:
Take a moment and express any grief you’re feeling over suffering or shattered expectations.
Question 2:
Jesus is the King despite the way the world looks right now. What questions does that bring up for you? What truths can you rely on at this time?
Read:
This passage proclaims that God himself is coming to rescue his people. This is good news, but it will happen in a surprising way. God’s appointed one, the Messiah, will enter into the suffering and death of our world. There’s a lot of suffering and pain going on in our world right now, but God enters into our suffering. He experiences it personally and is present with us and all those who suffer.
Question 1:
Write down or speak out loud where you see suffering and pain in the world and your community right now.
Question 2:
Now pray or speak out loud these same instances again, taking in the truth that God is present in those situations and suffers with us.
Read:
Jesus' suffering was the way God’s power and love was shown to the world. The cross shows us that God’s ultimate response to human death and suffering was love, to die alongside us and for us, and to overcome death with his resurrection life. This is Jesus’ upside-down Kingdom.
Question 1:
What is Jesus doing for others in this passage?
Question 2:
Jesus calls his followers to do what he does. In what ways specifically can you suffer alongside others or serve and love others?