**Read Matthew 21:1-17 and 1 Corinthians 1:26-31
I. Jesus Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem
- Matthew 21:1-17, After doing His ministry and many miracles of healing and casting out demons, the people of Jerusalem had recognized Jesus as the messiah, the "son of David" whom God had sent to establish His kingdom. The scene here is what people celebrate as Palm Sunday. It is a celebration of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem to fulfill the prophecy in Zechariah 9:9. Many lined up the streets, trying to get a glimpse of Jesus Christ while waving the palm trees. They were praising Him because they thought that He would be building a Kingdom on earth, a political kingdom that will finally end the Roman rule and restore Israel. They did not understand God's plan for them. We'll learn later that these same people will be disappointed and will be the ones that will condemn Jesus Christ and ask for His crucifixion.
- We, Christians, trust in the Lord as our savior. We praise and Worship our God for all the blessings that he had showered us. But sometimes, when we pray to Him and we did not get what we ask for, we easily change our attitudes and turn our backs to Him just like the people of Jerusalem. We waive our Palm trees for God then later on, when we are struggling and are experiencing hardships (whether financially, spiritually, mentally, or physically), we start condemning Him and even ask for His crucifixion. God has a plan for all of us. It is written in Jeremiah 29:11, "11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." We need to trust in Him and His promises and if it is His will, God will make it happen.
II. The Foolish Will Shame the Wise
- 1 Corinthians 1:26-31, Paul explained that the way of salvation is so simple that any man who believes and trust in the Lord can attain it. God chose the weak and the despised so no one could boast of all the good deeds that he had done to receive eternal life. Achievements, money, fame, and works can not get us into God's Kingdom. It is our faith, repentance, and most importantly through His grace that we are saved. We need to acknowledge what Jesus Christ has done in the cross formus because if we continue to think that our good deeds would get us to heaven, then Jesus Christ died in vain. He already has done the work when He said "It is finished" (John 19:30). His blood has cleansed us and His crucifixion and death has taken all our sins away. His resurrection gave us a new life and provided us a way for salvation and a relationship with our Father.
III. Proverbs for Today/10:11-12
11 The mouth of the righteous is a well of life,
But violence covers the mouth of the wicked.
12 Hatred stirs up strife,
But love covers all sins.
IV. Additional Old Testament Reading:
Leviticus 14 and Psalms 40:1-10
11 The mouth of the righteous is a well of life,
But violence covers the mouth of the wicked.
12 Hatred stirs up strife,
But love covers all sins.
IV. Additional Old Testament Reading:
Leviticus 14 and Psalms 40:1-10
