The World at His Feet
When Jesus fulfilled Zecharia’’s prophecy by riding down the Mount of Olives on the foal of a donkey, some acknowledged Him as Messiah, some rejected Him strongly and the majority remained indifferent. In the days that followed many who received Him as Messiah gave up on Him because He didn’t meet their expectations. He will return to the Mount of Olives, but before that happens, how will we receive Him?
Scripture
Luke 19:29-40 ESV When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples, [30] saying, “Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here. [31] If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ you shall say this: ‘The Lord has need of it.’” [32] So those who were sent went away and found it just as he had told them. [33] And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?” [34] And they said, “The Lord has need of it.” [35] And they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. [36] And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road. [37] As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, [38] saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” [39] And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” [40] He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”
Bible Study Questions
The Eternal King of Kings
In the first eight verses of Zechariah nine, God reveals the judgement He is bringing against the nations surrounding Israel. This judgement was fulfilled two hundred years later (AD 332) through the conquests of Alexander the Great. This chapter contrasts Jesus and Alexander the great. How is Jesus different to Alexander? Zechariah 9:9
Receiving Jesus
Historians like Josephus tell us that Alexander the Great was welcomed into Jerusalem by the priests and rulers of Jerusalem. What were the two different receptions that Jesus got entering into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, who welcomed Him and who rejected Him? Luke 19:37-40
The Return of Jesus
Zechariah 9:10 talks about the Messiah ending all war and ruling the earth. After Jesus rode down the Mount of Olives as foretold, Jerusalem struggled under Roman occupation until it was destroyed in AD 70. When will the prediction of Christ’s rule in verse ten be fulfilled? Revelation 19:11-15
The Mount of Olives
Jesus fulfilled verse nine of Zechariah chapter nine when He rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. He will fulfil verse ten at His second coming. There are already almost two thousand years between verse nine and ten, but they both happen on the Mount of Olives. How do we know that Jesus will return to the Mount of Olives? Acts 1:9-11
The Return of the King of Kings
What will Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem be like when He returns and stands on the Mount of Olives again? Zechariah 14:4-9
Why do the Nations Rage?
How does God see the rulers of this world, and how will He respond to those who continue to rebel against Him and against the Lord Jesus Christ? Psalms 2:1-6
Are You Ready for His Return?
We’ve seen the different ways in which Jesus was received in His first coming. Take some time to read Matthew chapter 25 and think about what we should do to be ready to receive Jesus Christ when He returns and carries out God’s righteous judgement of the earth. Matthew 25:45
Prayer
Dear Loving and Almighty Father in Heaven. Thank You for giving us everything in offering us Your grace and mercy. Please forgive us our sin, cleanse us from all our guilt and shame and empower us to love and serve You in gratitude for what You’ve done for us. Please deliver us from evil and help us to be ready for the return of our Lord Jesus. Please help us to fix our eyes on Him and to keep His Word close to our hearts in trust and obedience. We pray that You would help us to reach the lost and build up those who are afraid, by Your perfect Word and by the power of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Worship
Even So Come
All of creation all of the earth
Make straight a highway a path for the Lord
Jesus is coming soon
Call back the sinner wake up the saint
Let ev'ry nation shout of Your fame
Jesus is coming soon
Like a bride waiting for her groom
We'll be a Church ready for You
Ev'ry heart longing for our King we sing
Even so come Lord Jesus come
Even so come Lord Jesus come
There will be justice all will be new
Your name forever faithful and true
Jesus is coming soon
So we wait we wait for You
God we wait You're coming soon
So we wait we wait for You
God we wait You're coming soon
Serving
Read Matthew Chapter 25 and think about ways in which we can serve God out of gratitude for what Jesus did and in anticipation of what He’s going to do.