Hope Has a Name: Part 2 - 'Son of David'
This Sunday, Rob Lea brings us the talk in the latest of our EBC services. We encourage you to reflect on the bible text and join us in the prayer that follows below.
Here are some questions to consider:
Readings:
John 12:12-19
The next day the great crowd that had come for
the festival [Passover] heard that Jesus was on
his way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting,
“Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the king of Israel!” Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written:
“Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.”
Mark 8:27-29
Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, ’Who do people say I am?’
They replied, ‘Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.’
‘But what about you?’ he asked,
‘Who do you say I am?’
Prayer and Reflection:
Lord Jesus, thank you that you are our King. The King of love, and gentleness and grace. You rode into your city in triumph on this day, receiving the shouts of ‘hosanna’, expressing adoration, praise and joy! Come into this church today and receive our welcome and our acclaim,
Come to rule in the hearts and minds of us who follow you as their Lord. And help us all to go out and proclaim you as sovereign King over all the world and every life
AMEN
Questions to Consider
1. Recall a time when you had expectations about a relationship, job/career or event that disappointed you. What were the circumstances?
2. Can you give three reasons why the crowd had such ‘great expectations when Jesus rode into Jerusalem? What was their great hope?
3. One of the titles that Jesus was given, recorded in Matthew and Mark, is ‘Son of David.’ Who is David, and how can Jesus be his son?
4. We read in John chapter 11 that the Pharisees plotted to kill Jesus. What did they expect would happen if they didn’t do this, and what were their expectations if they did?
5. In Mark 8:27-29, Jesus asks his disciples, ‘Who do you say I am?’ How would you answer that question, and what are your reasons for so doing?
6. What do you expect from Jesus? What do you think he expects from you and why?
7. The title of the series is ‘Hope has a name’. What is the name, and what are your reasons for thinking that?