YEA Lesson Library
Triumphal Entry
About This Lesson
Using Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, this lesson teaches that Jesus set the example for us to be humble in our relationships with others and in our relationship with God.
Scriptures
1 Kings 3:5-14
Proverbs 15:25-33
Proverbs 31:30
Mark 10:42-45
Mark 10:43-45
Mark 11:1-11
Luke 9:48
Romans 12
Philippians 3
James 1
James 4
1 Peter 5:1-6
Words to Know
TRIUMPHAL - in victory
HUMILITY - modest
The Lesson
Rejoice greatly, O my people! Shout with Joy! For look – your King is coming! He is the Righteous One, the Victor! Yet he is lowly, riding on a donkey’s colt. I will disarm all people of the earth, including my people in Israel, and he shall bring peace among the nations. His realm shall stretch from sea to sea, from the river to the ends of the earth” (Zechariah 9:9-10 TLB).
Zechariah foretold this event over 400 years before it happened. The story is told in all four Gospels. But what is the joyful event you just read about? What impact does it have on your life today and in the future?
A few days before the Passover on which Jesus was crucified, Jesus and His disciples came to the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. Jesus told two of His disciples to go ahead of the others to the next village. “There will be a donkey tied there with it’s colt beside her. Untie both of them and bring them to me” Jesus said. “If anyone asks you why you are taking them, just say, ‘the Master needs them,’ and you won’t have any trouble taking them.”
The two disciples did what Jesus told them to do. They brought the donkey and her colt to Him. Some of the people threw coats over the animals. They were ecstatic because they thought Jesus had come to deliver them. People started throwing their coats down on the road. Other people cut branches from the trees and spread them out before Jesus as He rode into Jerusalem. They shouted praises saying, “Praise God in the heaven!” The entire city of Jerusalem was excited and joyful. The crowd of people said, “See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”
Jesus was born as a baby to become the King of kings. But first He had to qualify. To qualify meant that He had to first be lowly and humble. Then He had to give the ultimate sacrifice – His life for your sins.
Riding on a colt, a foal of a donkey, was the lowliest form of transportation. Historically kings ride on horses. You can look up videos of when Queen Elizabeth of England would ride in her fabulous gold-trimmed carriage pulled by some of the most beautiful horses to be found. Most of us think of a king or queen having the best. But when Jesus was on this earth, He certainly didn’t have the best physical things. He wasn’t proud, arrogant or haughty. His entry into Jerusalem, as well as His ministry and His entire physical life, demonstrates that Jesus was a remarkably humble man. He was a king who lived like a carpenter and died like a criminal. Think about this. Do you know of any human king who would demean himself to the point of riding into town on a donkey? A camel or elephant, possibly, a great stallion, very likely, but a lowly donkey?
Every day of His life Jesus put into practice the sayings He gave His disciples. He told them that whoever wants to be great must first be humble as a servant. Jesus lived the perfect example of humility. Jesus was a humble man who prayed and kept His Father’s commandments. It’s not always easy to follow His example, and indeed it may be difficult at times. But it is right and the way to gain eternal life.
When Christ returns to this earth, He won’t be riding on a lowly donkey. His meekness, humility and perfect life that He lived qualified Him to return in all greatness and splendor as the King of all kings. This time instead of riding a donkey, He will be on a magnificent white horse.
“Then I saw heaven opened and a white horse standing there; and the one sitting on the horse was named ‘Faithful and True,’ the one who justly punishes and makes war. His eyes were like flames, and on His head were many crowns. A name was written on His forehead, and only He knew its meaning. He was clothed with garments dipped in blood, and His title was ‘The Word of God.’ The armies of heaven, dressed in finest linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. In His mouth He held a sharp sword to strike down the nations; He ruled them with an iron grip; and He trod the winepress of the fierceness of the wrath of Almighty God. On His robe and thigh was written this title: ‘King of Kings and Lord of Lords’” (Revelation 19:11-16 TLB).
What a vision! And what a reward for us to be considered “great” in such magnificent company!
Student Prayer
Almighty Heavenly Father,
Thank you for Jesus Christ coming to this earth to set me an example in humility. Even though He is your Son, He humbled Himself to die for my sins. Shine a clear light on my path each day that I might humbly walk before you as Christ did. Give me the strength and determination to do it. Father I am weak and need your help.
In Jesus’ name.
Amen.
Daily Devotions
Sunday: Romans 12
Monday: Philippians 3
Tuesday: James 4
Wednesday: 1 Peter 5:1-6
Thursday: Proverbs 15:25-33
Friday: 1 Kings 3:5-14
Saturday: James 1
Objectives
At the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
1. Explain that Jesus coming on a donkey was at His first coming, and coming on a white horse is at His second coming.
2. Contrast riding on a donkey and a horse as forms of transportation and its relationship to humility.
3. Discuss that Jesus gave up everything in order to qualify to be our Savior.
4. Explain what humility can do for human relationships and our relationship with God.
Topics & Themes
Donkey
Horse
Humility
Jesus Sets Example
King of kings
Passover
Relationship with God
Relationships
Servant
Triumphal Entry
Materials Needed
Bible, students’ and teacher’s books, songbook, cookies, music player and music tape/CD, attendance and memory verse chart, Living Bible
How to Teach This Lesson
Start the lesson by asking a good reader to read Zechariah 9:8-10 aloud. Then sequentially follow the questions to aid in staying on track, accomplishing the objectives and giving time to complete every section of the lesson.
How could Zechariah have prophesied this 400 years before the birth of Christ? God revealed it to him. Piggyback on each answer, striving to involve everyone in this discussion. Encourage participation with remarks such as “good comment,” “interesting thought.”
Historically, royalty rides on horses. How do you think King Charles III would have felt if he had to ride on a donkey to Westminster Abbey for his coronation as king? Why do you think Jesus decided to ride into Jerusalem on a donkey rather than a horse? His first coming was to set us an example in humility and to die for our sins. His second coming will be to set up His Kingdom and be King of kings.
Down through the ages, wars have been fought on horses – they have been instruments of war. Does anyone know what tanks are called? Armored cavalry.
Did you notice anything that seemed a little contradictory when Zechariah 9:8-10 was read? It mentions “your King is coming! He is the Righteous One, the Victor! Yet he is lowly, riding on a donkey’s colt!” When He came to this earth and was crucified, would you say that was victorious? Death wasn’t victorious for Him personally, but it was victory over death for those who believe and follow Him.
How do you reconcile Him being your King, the Righteous One, the Victor and yet He is lowly, riding on a donkey’s colt? (Ask one of the students to read aloud Revelation 19:11-16 from the Living Bible.)
What would you conclude when you compare Zechariah 9:8-10 and Revelation 19:11-16? These are two different comings of Christ. How was He depicted when He walked this earth? Why do you think He was depicted as being lowly and humble? What was the purpose of His first coming? To qualify to be our King. How did He qualify?
You may have heard the song that goes, “Oh Lord, it’s hard to be humble, when you’re perfect in every way.” Well, surely none of us thinks that we are perfect. But when you’re good looking, make good grades and everything from your love life to your job is going well, it may be a little difficult to see why humility is a good thing. Ask: What can humility do to build better relationships? Ask one of the students to read aloud Philippians 2:3. Ask: How can applying that Scripture improve relationships?
Do you find yourself getting turned off by someone who is conceited, cocky or arrogant? Ask one of the students to read James 4:6 aloud. Ask: Since God resists the proud, how do you think people will react to us if we’re conceited, cocky or arrogant?
How can humility build a better relationship with God? Ask one of the students to read Isaiah 66:2 aloud. What does the Bible say comes before honor? Humility. Ask one of the students to read Proverbs 15:33 aloud. How does Jesus coming into Jerusalem on a donkey tie in with this Scripture? What will be Jesus’ reward for humbling Himself even to the death on the stake? He will return as King of kings. What will be your reward if you follow His example? You can be a child of the King.
Teacher-Directed Activity
Before class set this activity up for a student or other person besides the teacher to lead it. Have that person ask the students to line up behind him and put their hands on the shoulders of the person in front of him, making a human train. He tells them that he will be taking them on a trip around the grounds of the building where you meet. If you get back in four minutes they can all have chocolate chip cookies. The students are taken out the door, through the hall, into the parking lot and between every car, as he stops and picks flowers, if any, delaying any way he can. When the students begin to protest, he says: “I’m the leader and it’s my call.” After the four minute time period is up, he can lead them back into the building and say: “It’s too bad that we didn’t make it back in time to have cookies. I’m going to take them home and eat them myself.” Now have someone read Philippians 2:3-11 (NIV). Ask: How did you feel with this activity? How did the leader’s attitude compare to the attitude Jesus described in the Scripture we just read. When you’re arrogant and act like “it’s my way or no way,” how do you think your friends will feel about you? What effect would it have on your life if you acted as humbly as Jesus did?
Song
“Humble Thyself in the Sight of the Lord” is on page 38 of The Group Songbook.
Closing Prayer
Ask one of the students to lead in prayer, asking God to help them follow Jesus’ example in humility.
Printable Pages
