DCLM Search The Scripture Youth For February 19, 2023 : Topic – Triumphal Entry And Cleansing Of The Temple
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YOUTH STS
LESSON 50
TRIUMPHAL ENTRY AND CLEANSING OF THE TEMPLE
TEXT: Matthew 21:1-27; Mark 11:1-33; Luke 19:28-48; 20:1-8
MEMORY VERSE: “And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest” (Matthew 21:9).
Christ’s entrance into Jerusalem marks the beginning of the last phase of His public ministry. This event was so significant that the four gospels recorded it (Matthew 21; Mark 11; Luke 19.28-48; 20:1-8; John 12:12-16). The triumphal entry revealed the plan of God to beam out the glory of Jesus as the Messiah whose kingship, dignity, honour, power and authority was declared in Jerusalem. Though He had entered many cities, this one was uniquely striking. It was a prophetic fulfilment. “Rejoices greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass” (Zechariah 9:9). Thus in theological term, it is called, “the Triumphal Entry”, in the sense that Christ rode on this specially prepared colt, which had not been used by anyone before then. It also heralded His royalty as King of Israel. It was His last entry into Jerusalem before He died on the cross at Calvary. It was accompanied by spiritually inspired procession; spreading leaves on the way, with shouts of hosanna to herald His entry. The whole city was moved at the news of Christ’s entry into Jerusalem. “And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved saying, Who is this? And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee” (Matthew 21:10, 11). The crowd, which probably consisted of those who greatly admired Christ’s ministry and personality, as well as devoted Jews who came earlier to prepare and purify themselves for the feast of Passover, were not made up of great men and rulers, but the common people (1 Corinthians 1:26-29).
JESUS ENTERED INTO JERUSALEM (Matthew 2:1-3,6,7; Mark 11:1-7; Luke 19:28-35; Matthew 21:3; 1 Kings 20:4)
At the Mount of Olives, in the vicinity of Bethphage and Bethany, Jesus told two of His disciples, “Go into the village over against you; in the which at your entering ye shall find a Colt tied, whereon yet never man sat: loose him and bring him hither” (Luke 19:30). The disciples carried out the assignment with enthusiasm, courage and thoroughness.
Question 1: How should saved boys and girls do to the Great Commission from the attitude of Christ’s disciples above? How applicable this message is to the Great Commission and the need for a fulfilled ministry. Believers are to go, without excuse at God’s command, to the hideouts of sinners and rescue them from the snares of Satan. In fulfilment of Jesus’ prophecy, the disciples were accosted. This is instructive to end-time believers. We are messengers of the Good News. Our obedience to the call to go and loose those who are bound by sin, sicknesses and Satan should be prompt. We must also be prepared to face any opposition, resistance or persecution; standing on nothing other than what Jesus has commanded. The owner of the colt released it for Christ’s use. This demonstrated Christ’s divine ownership over all things and persons, and as such, has authority to use them at Will. For believers, Christ ownership over us is two-fold: by creation and redemption. Therefore, redeemed and blood-washed children of God must willingly submit themselves and all that they have to Him for “…The Lord hath need of them…” (Matthew 21:3). In His service, our understanding of divine ownership will enable us freely give our all to God. “And the king of Israel answered and said, My lord, O king, according to thy saying, 1 am thine, and all that I have” (1 Kings 20:4). our lives, talents, time and treasures are not useful until they are surrendered for use to the glory of God
Question 2: With the knowledge that God is our rightful owner, what should be the attitude of Christian youths when needed by the Lord?
Simon Peter surrendered his fishing boat to be used by Christ (Luke 5:1-6). Denying the Lord the use of our time, talent, treasures, etc., is akin to renouncing His lordship and His need of these things.
JESUS, EXAMINED AT JERUSALEM (Matthew 21:14-27; Mark 11:12-33; Luke 19:36-44; 20:1-8)
The display events that attest to Jesus’ demonstration of authority over all natural and supernatural elements. The healing of the blind and lame at the temple (Matthew 21:14) the casting out of those who sold and bought in the temple (Luke 19:45), the cursed and withered fig tree (Matthew 21:18,19).
Question 3: What the implication of the miracle performed by Christ at Jerusalem?
The miracles performed by Christ at Jerusalem show that Jesus has Power over all things, whether physical, physiological, supernatural, social, material, human or spiritual. However, the miracles and Jesus’ authority in casting out of the temple those who sold and bought angered the religious Jews so much that they challenged His rabbinical authority, hoping to discredit Him as a mere impostor and self-motivated person. “And say unto him, By what authority doest thou these things? And who gave thee this authority to do these things?” (Mark 11:28). It is surprising to note that these challengers of Jesus’ authority, recognised Him as Master but opposed His exaltation as ‘King’ and wanted Him to stop and rebuke the disciples for allegedly doing wrong. Some religious people of our time believe Jesus is a Prophet, but not their Saviour, Lord and King. It is a pity such people cannot experience salvation, sanctification, Holy Ghost baptism and other blessings, which come only by acceptance of Christ as Saviour, King of kings and Lord of lords.
JESUS CLEANSED THE TEMPLE AT JERUSALEM (Matthew 21:12, 13; Mark 11:15-17; Luke 19:45,46; 1 Corinthians 3: 16, 17; 2 Corinthians 7: 1; 1 Corinthians 6:19,20)
Though the omniscient Christ predicted the total destruction of Jerusalem (Luke 19:41-44), He still embarked on reformation with the hope that the people will submit to divine instruction to do right. Therefore, Jesus “went into the temple and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought” (Luke 19:45). He did this by Whipping them with a scourge of small cords (John 2: 14, 15). This is one act of regal authority that Jesus demonstrated in His days. The look on His face and the tone of His word, made those that sold and bought in the temple astonished and compelled them to yield to His command; thereby, fulfilled this Scripture: “A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth away evil with his eyes” (Proverbs 20:8). Even though the sale of those animals was for the convenience of those that could easily bring more money with them than animals for sacrifice and changing money for those that wanted it changed, the whole process was turned into making worldly gain.
Question 4: Mention some ways people pollute the Temple of the Lord today.
Similar practices are being perpetrated today. People establish churches as money-making ventures. Some assemblies do bazaar, thanksgiving, money-collecting ceremonies, display of false Christian books, distribution of business cards and contract papers to canvass business opportunities inside the church and during programmes at campgrounds. These practices tend to replace spiritual activities such as prayers and the study of God’s word. They hardly listen to the word of God because they must network among worshippers during or after the service. God is angry with such people who make His house a market. Christian leaders, and of course individual Christians, should have eagle eyes and the Christlike courage to radically cleanse the church by taking definite steps to identify and stop such people from desecrating God’s house.
Question 5: What is the true temple of God in our dispensation?
There are two-fold meanings of ‘the temple’: the place of worship and the believer’s body. The place of worship is to be reverenced and kept holy. Some worshippers desecrate the church building and premises by throwing spittle, food wastes, plastic wrappers, etc. on the floor. Others allow their children to loiter and run about, while some youths pass notes to one another when the service is on. All disorderly conduct the house of God dishonours Him. We should avoid anything that makes us appear to take God for granted. Believers are the spiritual temple of the living God; and as such, we must be careful not to engage any member of our body in self-destructive habits like smoking, drinking, drug addiction and immorality, as such will amount to desecrating the temple of the Holy Spirit (l Corinthians 3: 16, 17). As believers, the Spirit of God dwells in us. Therefore “…dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Corinthians 7:1).
We must live a consecrated obedient and holy lifestyle, and “glorify God in [our] spirit, which are God’s” (1 Corinthians 6:20).