Holy Week, the last week of Jesus’ earthly life, begins on Palm Sunday and culminates in Jesus’ resurrection on Easter Sunday. On Palm Sunday, Jesus entered Jerusalem as king, fulfilling Old Testament prophecy. On Easter Sunday, Jesus rose from the dead and proved His kingly power over sin and death. Between these two bookends, a few challenging things happened to Jesus over His last week. You can follow His journey via daily text prompts when you text “journey” to 97000.
In three of the Gospel accounts, the last miracle that Jesus performed before entering Jerusalem on Palm Sunday was to restore sight to the blind. John’s account differs. There, the triumphal entry follows Jesus raising his friend Lazarus from the dead. These last miracles signal Jesus’ purposes for coming to earth and help strengthen His resolve to see His physical journey to its end, which is to die alone on a cross. Spiritual blindness is woven throughout Holy Week, but Jesus’ resurrection brings eternal life to all who believe.
In verses that precede our present passage, Jesus shared a story about hard-hearted people who refused to recognize their rightful king (Luke 19:11-27). Jesus’ listeners were going to prove the story true as they rejected Jesus as their king. If you were in the crowd that day, how would you have responded to Jesus’ story? What would it mean for you to make Jesus the king of your life?
Read Luke 19:28-40.
What action did Jesus take in 19:28? What task did Jesus give to two of his disciples in 19:29-3? How does His directive reveal what He intended to do as He entered Jerusalem? Both Matthew’s and John’s gospels explain the reason why Jesus asked for the colt in Matthew 21:5 and John 12:15–to fulfill the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9.
What happened next in Luke 19:35-36? What did the “whole crowd of disciples” do in 19:37 and why? What did they sing in verse 38 (cf. Psalm 118:26)? Look at Luke’s record of what the angelic host sang at Jesus’ birth in Luke 2:14. Do you see any similarities? How did the Pharisees react (19:39)? What was Jesus’ response (19:40)? Look ahead to Luke 19:41ff. What was in Jesus’ heart as He headed toward Jerusalem?
The group called Jesus “the king” in their song. Do you think they meant this? What do you think the people wanted from their king at this point? Later in Luke, the Jewish religious leaders accused Jesus of inciting the Jews to rebel, of keeping citizens from paying taxes, and claiming to be Messiah and a king (Luke 23:2). When Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?” Jesus replied, “You have said so” (Luke 23:3). But, the guards mocked Jesus and placed a written notice above His head as He hung on the cross that said “THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS” (Luke 23:37-38).
Earlier in Luke (11:2), Jesus told his disciples to pray for the Father’s kingdom to come. It is hard for Americans to imagine having a king rule over us. As a democracy, we vote our leaders into positions of power. In Jesus’ time, the Jewish people longed for the kingdom of God, but the Roman Empire ruled the land. Jesus’ words and actions did not line up with the kind of power the religious leaders expected from the kingdom of God. Instead of military power, Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, preached good news to the poor, the captive, the blind, and the downtrodden (Luke 4:18-19). He healed all kinds of diseases. He taught about God’s kingdom in terms of its small beginnings which would grow with unlimited influence (Luke 13:18-21). He taught that we must receive the kingdom of God like a child (Luke 18:16-17), full of hope, trust, and wonder.
What is King Jesus’ kingdom like and how can those who follow Him help build it on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10)? The first step is to declare Jesus as the King of all of our life. This is a realization that affects our everyday decision-making, because Jesus is the kind of King who deserves our allegiance, respect, and praise. Is there anything in your life that is holding you back from acknowledging Jesus as the ultimate authority of your life? What is one thing you could do to help further God’s kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.
*All Scripture quotations are taken from the New International Version of the Bible.
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Lent is a season on the Christian calendar that helps us prepare for Easter when we will celebrate Jesus Christ’s resurrection. The word Lent means “Fortieth.” This is why the Lenten season begins 40 days before Easter. The number 40 is significant in that it parallels the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert where He was tempted by the devil. Luke tells us that Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, was led about by the Spirit in the wilderness (see also Matthew 4:1; Mark 1:12; Luke 4:1). During Lent, Christians replicate the self-sacrifice and withdrawal that Jesus endured in the desert. We then follow Jesus on His journey to the cross.
Lent is a season on the Christian calendar that helps us prepare for Easter when we will celebrate Jesus Christ’s resurrection. The word Lent means “Fortieth.” This is why the Lenten season begins 40 days before Easter. The number 40 is significant in that it parallels the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert where He was tempted by the devil. Luke tells us that Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, was led about by the Spirit in the wilderness (see also Matthew 4:1; Mark 1:12; Luke 4:1). During Lent, Christians replicate the self-sacrifice and withdrawal that Jesus endured in the desert. We then follow Jesus on His journey to the cross.
During this Lenten season, we’ll be focusing on some of the things we believe the Spirit is saying to Northland as a church. You’ll be hearing about these topics in our weekend sermons and in the accompanying Bible studies. But, we also want those who desire a more personal Lenten experience to hear from the Spirit and follow Jesus in new ways during this time. Our prayer is that you’ll attend a service each weekend during Lent and also engage with the Bible every day. If you commit to doing this, you will meet the Holy Spirit as your Guide and Sustainer and you will grow deeper in your relationship with Jesus Christ, our Savior.
» April 15
JOURNEY | Famous Last Words - Good Friday | Care & Counseling Pastor John Tardonia
» April 17
TRANSITIONS | Humanity's Cosmic Transitions | Lead Pastor Josh Laxton
» April 15
JOURNEY | Famous Last Words - Good Friday | Care & Counseling Pastor John Tardonia
» April 17
TRANSITIONS | Humanity's Cosmic Transitions | Lead Pastor Josh Laxton
Sunday, April 10 after the 11 a.m. worship service
Baptism is an outward expression of our inward faith and a declaration to the world that we've chosen to follow Jesus Christ. It signifies the washing away of the old life and helps solidify our commitment as followers of Jesus Christ. If you have never been baptized before this is your chance to take this step of obedience in Christ!
Saturday, April 16 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
There is a holy silence that falls between the death of Jesus on the cross on Good Friday and the celebration of His resurrection on Easter Sunday. Throughout church history, this day has come to be known as Holy Saturday. Northland commemorates this somber day by providing a walk-through experience in our foyer. This interactive and meditative event is suitable for individuals, families, and small groups. Join us as we experience Holy Saturday together.
Sunday, April 17 at 9 & 11 a.m.
Jesus’ promise to the thief on the cross in Luke 23:43, “Today, you will be with Me in paradise” is the same for you and me. When we accept His invitation to believe in Him, we will be with Him now and forever. This is indeed, good news and worthy of celebration! Join us this Easter where Pastor Josh will deliver the message!
