First Baptist Church Ottawa

Our Online Church School Lesson - February 18, 2024

Great Expectations - Mark 11:1-11

Today’s Scripture: Mark 11:1-11

Today’s Theme: Great Expectations

Opening Prayer: Dear God, thank you for allowing us to gather here today to learn more about Jesus. Please help our ears to listen, our minds to learn, and our hearts to love as we hear the stories of His work. Amen.

Today’s Lesson: What does it mean to have expectations? Have you ever expected something to happen? For example, if we see a bright flash of lighting during a thunderstorm, we expect to hear the rumble (or crash) of thunder nearby. To "expect" something or have "expectations" about something means we have thoughts and feelings about how something should happen. One problem with expecting something, though, is that things don't always happen like we thought they were going to happen. And when expectations are not met, we might feel upset or cheated or sad and let down.

In today’s lesson, we return to the familiar story of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, amid massive crowds of people. The crowd that surrounded Jesus was expecting certain things from Jesus. They expected him to be their next king, which is why they were having a parade for him. Why did the people in Jerusalem so thoroughly expect that Jesus was their next king?

Let’s ready today’s scripture and then return to our discussion:

Mark 11:1-11

11 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 3 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’”

4 They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, 5 some people standing there asked, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” 6 They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. 7 When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. 8 Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. 9 Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted,

“Hosanna!”

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

10 “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!”

“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

11 Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple courts. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.

At one point, before his death, John the Baptist sent men to Jesus and asked, “Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?” This questioning was spawned because of the mighty “works of Christ” that were performed and proclaimed throughout the region. Jesus often identified Himself with the Deity of heaven; as being one with the Father Himself.

The hope of the people had been in a state of expectation since the days of old.  They had heard of the prophecies, such as the one Zechariah proclaimed, saying, “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass”.

They were waiting for this time of celebration that had been prophesied hundreds of years before the actual event took place. A time when God’s people would ring out their worship of their one true King. A time when at His coming, joy will go before Him for His proposed reign. People will raise their voices with heartfelt praise and adoration of Him who has come to save them. It all sounded so wonderful to the people of Jerusalem.

Unfortunately, when Jesus came, most were not looking for a Savior from sin, rather one who would free them of the national tyranny of their Roman oppressors. The people at that time were more focused on their present circumstances over their eternal destinies.  How could they possible see Jesus for who He really was when they could not get their minds off their every day problems?

Exactly what were the people expecting? It was prophesied that this King would be “just.” His rule would be governed by truth. It’s how He lived and how He died; according to God’s truth. He declared in Matthew 5:18 “For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” He pressed on to fulfill truth so that His reign would be marked and identified as being “just.” He would do all that is right according to God’s holy Word.

This King would also be known as “having salvation.” He would bear within Himself the means to save mankind from the ravages of sin and disparity brought on by their fleshly stance in this world. The Bible declares, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Therefore, all mankind needed and still needs a Savior; one who can bring them out of the depths of his/her evil state. The Bible also says, “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” This King comes with our “salvation.”

At His entrance, He comes in a state opposite of most royalty and the elite of society. This King is prophesied to come “lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.” A humble creature of burden becomes transportation of Him who would bear all of humanities burdens and sins.

Do we really understand how much He humbled Himself to come and do what He did for us? Do we understand that He could have arrived with all the pomp and circumstance of heaven, but He arrived in an animal’s dwelling, with no proper place to lay His head? Do we understand how many times He could have shut the mouth of those who rose against Him and accused Him, but He took it all on Himself as part of His mission; His ministry to save mankind? Do we really understand how much He took off to put on the dregs of humanity? Do we understand? He was “lowly.”

By entering the town on that day in that way, Jesus was letting all the world know that He was that prophesied King.  That yes, if anybody wanted to know, He was the One whom they have been looking for.

Before the great entry into Jerusalem, Jesus also tried to prepare his disciples’ expectations for the reality of what would soon take place. He took the twelve disciples aside on the road and told them that he would be betrayed in Jerusalem and condemend to death, and that he would be mocked, beaten and crucified. He also told them that he would rise again on the third day. Jesus gives His disciples very explicit details to follow to make sure when He comes in there is no mistake to the reign He claims. In fact, fulfilling every prophecy that was spoken of Him was so imperative that later He wouldn’t die until He could finally say, “It is finished”.

God’s prophets such as Zechariah had increased expectations by being His spokesmen. They have been used down through Israel’s history to pass onto the people the word of God. When God used a prophet as His mouthpiece, the words that come from them are as valid as if they heard it from His own being, thundering upon the mountains. And so, since what these prophets had spoken was on His behalf, Jesus had to make absolutely sure that everything - past, present, and future - would be fulfilled as it was told to the people down through the years.

They were told exactly how their King would arrive and Jesus was careful to make sure there would be no mistaking who He claimed to be when He arrived in Jerusalem in such a fashion. His arrival mounted on that beast would offer them visual evidence. Any Jew would have known that when they see Him on a “colt the foal of an ass,” as Zechariah stated; or just using the word “colt” as this lesson states, He was claiming His Kingship; He was claiming His Lordship; He was claiming His Messiahship.

With that, the instructions He gives is for them to, “Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him.” It is supposed by many Bible students that Jesus had a prearranged agreement with the owners of the animals that He sent them for. With that supposition, He knew exactly where to send them and how to instruct them on searching out what He already planned. When they arrived and found the ones He said, His command was “loose him, and bring him.” If anyone dared to question what the disciples were doing and what was their intent and purposes of loosing the animal, Jesus gave them a simple reply to relay: “The Lord hath need of him.” He was set aside for the Master’s use. He was needed by Jesus. How privileged was this little guy that would carry the “Lord;” the Savior of the world, on his back.

Never had anyone rode him before this day.  Jesus’ specific instructions included that he be one that “never a man sat.”  This donkey is not known by name to us, but we know him as part of the Messiah’s royal parade forever in history. 

The disciples might not have understood everything right away, nor did they fully grasp that Jesus was fully preparing Himself to die that He might reign , but they didn’t question Him. They didn’t try to dissuade Him from His task; rather they obeyed.

The disciples provide comfort for the Lord as He mounts the beast set aside for His use. In lieu of a saddle, they pad the back of the beast with “their garments.” They literally gave Him the “clothes” off their backs to comfort the ride of the King. Oh, how much this must have meant to the Lord who would soon come before angry faces and hearts filled with hatred.  But, at this moment, He gets to feel and experience support from those closest to Him.

Did the crowds of people associate Jesus’ entrance as the long-awaited promised One? His reign to free men from sin instead of tyranny may not be what they had imagined at the time, but they understood who He claimed to be by how He rode into Jerusalem, fulfilling prophecy. Therefore, they willingly and with great rejoicing (as was also prophesied) wanted to be a part of the celebration. The King was coming and they “spread their garments in the way” and “cut down branches off the trees” to cover the path He would travel. What a small service for such a great King!

They honored Him with their “Hosanna” shout. They rallied and proclaimed the praises of Him who would save them, for that’s the meaning behind the word “Hosanna;” to “save now.” In Him, they saw a victorious King. In Him, they had an expectancy of deliverance. He is the one that “cometh in the name of the Lord!” That day that “all the city was moved.”  Often when Jesus performed miracles crowds would gather around Him to witness the power of God at work through Him. Here, there is no miracle performed; rather prophecy, long-awaited prophecy being fulfilled. Emotions were running high and people gathered and were excited to see it coming to pass right before their eyes; right in their time of living.

After identifying Himself as King by riding in the way that He did, Jesus “entered… into the temple,” and soon some things were going to change!  It was about to get real up in that place, as some would say. This King wasn’t playing with His ministry!  He was triumphant at the beginning, middle and end of His parade, and He still commands the victory as He is cleaning out His Father’s house.  Only the true King, with true authority, can command and operate the way He does.

Jesus is He that was to come; the King to reign for all eternity.  Let us shout his praises: “Hosanna in the highest!”  Our expectations have been fulfilled! There’s no need to look for another.  He’s the One!

Closing Prayer: Dear God, thank you for Jesus who shows us how to live a way, your way, that exceeds our greatest expectations. Thank you and Amen.