Palm Sunday--Going Along with the Crowd?
Mark 11:1-10; Mark 15:1-26
Those who went in front and those who followed were shouting: “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the
name of the Lord; blessed is the coming kingdom of our father, David; hosanna in the highest!
Today is the day Jesus enters Jerusalem on a donkey as the crowds wave leafy branches and lay down their coats
on the road. Imagine you are among them; you get caught up in the joy and excitement. What are you feeling?
What are you expectations of Jesus? Who do you think he is?
What is all the talk about a kingdom and a king? What does it mean? Can you imagine what it meant to the people
then who called Jesus a king?
Is it easier to praise Jesus when everyone else is doing the same? Why?
“Hosanna” is a plea for deliverance [Save now!]; and shout of jubilation!
Next days go quickly by: Jesus in the temple; Jesus teaching the crowds; Jesus with his disciples for the Passover
meal; Jesus in the garden; then his arrest. And then Jesus stands before Pilate, the governor, a man who seems to
hold Jesus’ fate in his hands. Does he? What do you think?
Pilate questioned Him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” And He answered him, “It is as you say.” Mark 15:2
Do you think Pilate considers Jesus a “king?” What might it mean to the chief priests that the crowds are calling
Jesus a king?
Imagine now you are among the crowds awaiting Pilate’s verdict; you are among those waiting to see if Jesus will
live or die! It is the custom for the Governor to release a prisoner during the Passover. Who are you thinking he
might release? Do you think it might be Jesus?
But the chief priests stirred up the crowds to ask him to release Barabbas for them instead. Answering again,
Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Him whom you call the king of the Jews?” they shouted back,
“Crucify Him!” Mark 15:13
Remember the crowds who a few days ago were applauding Jesus as a king? Some of the same people are likely
here as well. What has changed? Imagine you might be one of those who once praised Jesus as he rode into the
city, maybe you threw your coat down before him.
How much are you influenced by the crowd? By majority opinion? What is it like to hear those who praised Jesus
now shouting, “Crucify him!?”
They dressed Him up in purple, and after twisting a crown of thorns, they put it on Him; and began to acclaim,
“Hail, king of the Jews!” Mark 15:17-18
Look at the stained glass window that depicts this scene.
The inscription of the charge against Him read, “The king of the Jews.” Mark 15:26
All four Gospels mention these words attached to the cross; why do you think they are so important to the telling
of the story?
Does anyone seem to understand who Jesus is? Who is Jesus to you?