What happens when God does not do what you expect of him? This message takes us onto the road to Jerusalem, where the crowd greets Jesus with “Hosanna” and days later shouts “Crucify him” (Matthew 21). The entry on a donkey and the cleansing of the temple reveal a king who brings peace and salvation instead of the political liberation people were hoping for. Listen if you want to ask whether your own expectations are hiding the real King from you.
Discussion questions
For your small group or for personal reflection after the sermon.
- What does it tell us about Jesus that He rides into Jerusalem on a donkey rather than on a horse, like kings after a victorious battle, and how might the crowd have read this sign in light of Zechariah's prophecy?
- The crowd shouted "Hosanna", meaning "save us", and a few days later "crucify him". What expectations of Jesus lay behind this change, and how did they differ from what He actually came to do?
- What expectations of God do you most often carry, and how do you respond when God doesn't act the way you want Him to?
- The sermon reminds us that our greatest need is forgiveness, so God sent a Savior. How does this change the way you look at what you seek from God in a time of war and uncertainty?
- Jesus drove the traders out of the Court of the Gentiles, which was meant to be a house of prayer for all nations. How can a focus on our own needs distort God's image in others' eyes today and keep them from reaching Him?
- Michał came to faith through a roommate who showed Jesus by the way he lived. Who can you show God's love and grace to in a similar way this week?
