Marching Orders

Gathering Time (5-10 minutes). In pairs or groups of three, have participants answer the question, “If you were going to be present at a parade, where would you be? Seated on the lawn chair you brought from home, on the curb running out to get candy, or on a float, waving at the crowd? Or somewhere else?”

Group Dialogue (Approximately 30 minutes). You likely won’t get through all the questions in your time together. Consider inviting group members to work through any remaining questions on their own throughout the week.

• Read Matthew 21:1-11 aloud and ask the group to listen for the following: (1.) What are the disciples doing? (2.) What is the crowd doing? 
  After the reading, discuss the following:
  • What did you notice about the disciples’ actions?
  • What did the crowd do?
• In verses 4 and 5, the text says that riding into Jerusalem on a donkey with a colt was a fulfillment of a prophecy about the Messiah (Zechariah 9:9). Notice that these verses are calling out to Jerusalem specifically and contrast the “king” who is righteous and victorious with being lowly and riding on a donkey. How does this contrasting image sit with you?

  • Scan the passage again. What titles are given to Jesus in this passage? [Son of David, “one who comes in the name of the Lord,” and “the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee”.] What do you make of the crowd recognizing Jesus in this way?

    The Preaching Notes for March 29 say: 

    “There are so many roles in this drama, and we find ourselves flitting from one to another based on our mood or personal circumstances. But what if we got to choose? What if it isn’t which one fits us, or which one others would choose for us…What if we could choose?”

  • Imagine yourself in the middle of this story. Where would you hope to be, and what would you want to be doing as Jesus enters the city of Jerusalem?
• Read Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29. This is a psalm of thanksgiving, most likely used when entering the Temple at Passover or other ceremonies. How do you see deliverance in this text? How does it shine a light on the Matthew 21 text?
• This story holds up the tensions of enduring expectations, longing for a Savior, and the impact of a crowd (who plays a critical role in the unfolding of what happens next). If you could give advice to those in the original story, what would you say?
  • Does that advice “hold up” for the tensions of our day?
• Just One Thing: What one thing could you do this week to choose how to celebrate Jesus’ presence in the world today?
• Going Deeper on Your Own: This week, consider studying one of the the other lectionary texts in the following pattern:
  • Prayerfully ask God to open your eyes to the scripture. (Psalm 119:18)
  • Read the text (Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29, Matthew 21:1-11) out loud.
  • What do you notice about the text?
  • What questions arise?
  • What do you think God might be saying to you in this text?

Prayer (10 minutes). Share prayer requests and respond appropriately. 

Sending Forth (2 minutes). End with the following prayer, a similar prayer, or the Lord’s Prayer: 

Oh God, you ARE our God, and we will praise and exalt you! We confess that sometimes we want you to come in power or prestige to save us, but you choose a humble path. Help us to recognize the many ways that you invite us into your humble path of rescue, and may we always give you thanks. In the name of Jesus, we pray, Amen.

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Rev. Dr. Ashlee Alley Crawford, Director of Adult Discipleship, an elder in the Great Plains Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, served in campus ministry for twelve years and in leadership with the Great Plains Conference for over a decade. She has a passion for connecting people with resources and encouraging them to nurture their faith and walk in step with Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. She has a D.Min. in spiritual direction from Asbury Theological Seminary. Ashlee also has a Certificate in Discipleship Coaching through Discipleship Ministries.