TRIUMPHAL ENTRY AND CLEANSING OF THE TEMPLE, DCLM Children Search for Sunday

Matthew 21:1-27; Mark 11:1-33; Luke 19:28-48; 20:1-8

In our lesson today, we shall look at Christ’s last visit to the city of Jerusalem, before He was crucified on the cross at Calvary. This event was so important that all the four gospels, (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) recorded it. The word “Triumphal” means celebrating victory, success or rejoicing over a victory. Jesus Christ our Saviour made a triumphal entry because He is victorious over sin, Satan and the world (John 16:33).

There are some significant things associated with the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. Our Lord Jesus proved that He is Saviour and Messiah, and that He has authority over all things. As Jesus triumphed over sin, Satan and the world, so shall all friends of Jesus, triumph too.

JESUS’ TRIUMPHAL ENTRY INTO JERUSALEM:

Matthew 21:1-1 1; Mark 1 1:1-1 1; Luke 19:28-40, Zechariah 9:9.

Jesus sent two of His disciples to go and bring a colt for Him to ride on as He came into Jerusalem. Jesus’ ent11Y into Jerusalem on a colt, publicly testifies that He is the King and Messiah of the world. This entry was prophesized by Zechariah the prophet.

Jesus’ humble entry into the capital city, is a symbolic action to show that:

(i) His kingdom is not of this world

(ii) He did not come to the world to rule by force or with violence

(iii) He was ready to go to the cross to pay the price for our salvation.

It is also important to note from the story, the response of the people to Jesus’ triumphal entry:

(a) Jesus’ disciples obeyed, went and did as He commanded them;

(b) The owner of the colt did not argue with them, he too released the colt for the use of the Lord Jesus Christ. We learn here that we should not keep ourselves and every good thing we possess from being used by Jesus because we belong to Him by creation and redemption.

Many people welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem by spreading branches of trees and clothes on the way as carpet for Him to walk upon to Jerusalem, with a shout of hosanna or praise to Him, this is to show that Jesus is the expected Messiah, Lord of lords, and the coming King. You must invite and welcome Him into your heart now for Him to be your Saviour and friend (Revelation 3:20).

JESUS CLEANSING OF THE TEMPLE:

Matthew 21:12-17; Mark 11:12-19; Luke 19:41-48

Immediately Jesus entered Jerusalem, He went into the temple where He saw people buying, selling and exchanging money. Jesus was not happy with them because they turned the house of God into a market place instead Of a place of prayer and the study of God’s word. Jesus drove them out of the temple, to show His unhappiness with their practice. In the same way today, some boys and girls, when they come to church, they play around, pinch one another, make noise, eat and throw biscuit wraps and pieces of paper on the floor, turn the chairs or benches into writing boards, instead of sitting quietly to listen to the word of God. We have two types of “Temples“. The first is the physical building (church), and the second is our body as the temple of the Holy Ghost (1 Corinthians 6:19,20). As the Lord expects us to keep the physical temple clean, so also, He expects His children to keep clean their bodies from things that make them unclean better God, like stealing, fighting, lying, smoking, bad association, immoral friendship, cheating and other bad things. Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are“ ( 1 Corinthians 3:16-17). Jesus cannot live in a dirty heart. If your heart has been polluted with sin, you must repent now. Confess all your sins to God. Ask Him to forgive ‘you and cleanse your heart with the blood of Jesus. Promise Him that you will not do wrong things anymore. keep your body and the house of God clean. Live a holy and righteous life every day.

Point 3. JESUS TEACHING ON FAITH AND HIS RESPONSE TO THE RELIGIOUS LEADERS

Matthew 21:18-27; Mark 11:20-23; Luke 20:1-8

The fig tree was cursed by the Lord Jesus and it dried up. The disciples were surprised at how soon the fig tree dried up and called Christ’s attention to it. Christ’s reply teaches His disciples and all His followers today to learn the importance of faith in our walk with God, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him (God)” (Hebrews 11:6a). This miracle shows Christ’s authority and power over all things. It teaches us that if we have faith and pray, nothing shall be difficult or impossible for us; we can be healed from every sickness and disease and we can have good success in our academics. The chief priests and the elders were angry with Jesus for healing the blind and the lame in the temple and for driving out those who were buying and selling in the temple. Therefore, they challenged His authority, saying, “Who gave you this authority to do all these things?” (Matthew 21:23-27). Jesus responded to their question by asking them a question too, but they purposely refused to give answer to His questions, to escape making a fool of themselves (Matthew 21:24-27). It is unbelief that will make someone to question God. You must not question God’s word but rather believe, read, meditate over it and obey everything. Be prayerful and preach the gospel to sinners and teach other children how to keep the house of God clean. This is the only way you can bear fruit in God’s kingdom. Then Jesus will answer your prayers and bless you.

QUESTIONS:

1. What kind of animal did Jesus ride on to Jerusalem?

2. Mention three things you learnt from Jesus’ humble entry into Jerusalem.

3. Why did Jesus drive those people from the temple?

4. How many types of temples do we have according to our lesson?

5. What makes the temple (our body) dirty before God, and how can you keep It clean?

MEMORY VERSE: “And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest” (Matthew 2 1:9).

LESSON: Jesus will reign triumphantly in the heart of children who keep the temple of God holy.

THOUGHT: I will love Jesus, keep my life clean, obey God’s word so that He will reign forever in my heart.

ACTIVITY: Draw a picture of Jesus sitting on a colt and people laying palm leaves on the road for Him to pass. Colour and make it beautiful.

BIBLE WORD SEARCH

Find the meaning of these words, you can use your dictionary.

1. Triumphal         2. Revelation        3. Polluted   4. Temple    5. Author

GREGATIONAL SONG: GHS 214 – ALL HAIL THE POWER

CHORUSES:

(l) He is the King of kings

(2) Jesus shall reign forever

(3) Lift Him up higher.

HOMEWORK: Spread the love of Jesus to your neighbours