Primary Text: Mark 11:1-8; John 11:55-12:26
Memory Verse: “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.” John 12:24-25
Introduction:
The events and teachings studied in this lesson propel us toward the betrayal, trial, suffering, and death of Jesus. The Lord’s style of ministry changed dramatically at this point, as He moved purposely from obscurity in outlying areas into the public eye of Jerusalem. His strategic public boldness was a blatant challenge to the religious leadership of Israel who had been against Him at every turn. How preposterous that this son of a Jewish carpenter would ride like royalty into the streets of Jerusalem, allowing the people to honor and celebrate Him as a divine prophet and teacher!
Due to the power Jesus had demonstrated and the miracles He had performed, especially the raising of Lazarus from the tomb, many of the skeptical had begun to believe and were embracing His teachings. As the number of followers multiplied, the chief priests knew they must act quickly, before popular opinion was turned completely against them.
While Jesus would soon confront the religious hypocrisy prevalent in Jerusalem, His own physical approach to the holy city was with tears. He knew the destruction that would soon befall it, the human suffering involved, all because of Israel’s hardness of heart. In stark contrast to the life-giving ministry Jesus had sustained for over three years, He destroys a fig tree for its fruitlessness as a demonstrative rebuke to the Jews, and then cleanses God’s Holy Temple a second time. Jesus made it clear to all that divine judgment was upon them.
Yet, in one of His most personal and poignant illustrations, Jesus likens His life, and the lives of all who would follow Him, as seeds that must fall into the ground alone and die. Only in this way—from death to life—would the Kingdom of God be established. The way is being set for His crucifixion.
Studying the Word
Lesson Study
- What plan did the Jewish leaders have to gain information about Jesus so that He could be seized at the earliest opportunity? John 11:55-57
- Why was Mary’s anointing of Jesus such a powerful demonstration of love and worship? Matthew 26:6-7, 10-13; Mark 14:3, 6-9; John 12:1-3, 7-8
- What was Judas Iscariot’s reaction to the anointing, and what was his motivation for speaking against it? Matthew 26:8-9; Mark 14:4-5; John 12:4-6
- Why were the chief priests also intent on killing Lazarus? John 12:9-11
- What was entirely unique and significant in Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem contrasted with His prior ministry? Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:29-40; John 12:12-19
- What were the dynamic lessons being demonstrated when Jesus cursed the unfruitful fig tree? Matthew 21:18-22; Mark 11:12-14, 20-26
- Discuss how Jesus must have felt by God’s Temple being turned into a public bazaar of corrupt profits and the extortion of those who came in sincerity to worship. Matthew 21:12-13; Mark 11:15-19; Luke 19:45-48
- In what manner did Jesus say that He would be glorified? John 12:23-24
- What is the calling and destiny of every devoted follower of Jesus Christ? John 12:25-26