40 Days of Commitment
Daily Bible Studies for the Week of April 6, 2009
This Week’s Scripture: Matthew 21:1-16
1As Jesus and the disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to the town of Bethphage on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of them on ahead. 2“Go into the village over there,” he said. “As soon as you enter it, you will see a donkey tied there, with its colt beside it. Untie them and bring them to me. 3If anyone asks what you are doing, just say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will immediately let you take them.”
4This took place to fulfill the prophecy that said, 5“Tell the people of Israel, ‘Look, your King is coming to you. He is humble, riding on a donkey—riding on a donkey’s colt.’”
6The two disciples did as Jesus commanded. 7They brought the donkey and the colt to him and threw their garments over the colt, and he sat on it.
8Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting, “Praise God for the Son of David! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the LORD! Praise God in highest heaven!”
10The entire city of Jerusalem was in an uproar as he entered. “Who is this?” they asked. 11And the crowds replied, “It’s Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
12Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out all the people buying and selling animals for sacrifice. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves. 13He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves!” 14The blind and the lame came to him in the Temple, and he healed them. 15The leading priests and the teachers of religious law saw these wonderful miracles and heard even the children in the Temple shouting, “Praise God for the Son of David.”
But the leaders were indignant. 16They asked Jesus, “Do you hear what these children are saying?” “Yes,” Jesus replied. “Haven’t you ever read the Scriptures? For they say, ‘You have taught children and infants to give you praise.’”
Monday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, as we prepare to celebrate Jesus’ victory over sin and death on Easter, I thank You for the account of the first Palm Sunday. I thank You, because it was on that day that for a brief moment folks saw Jesus for who He really is—the King of Kings and Lord of lords! Empower me to live as a faithful servant of my King today and always! In His name I pray. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
1As Jesus and the disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to the town of Bethphage on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of them on ahead. 2“Go into the village over there,” he said. “As soon as you enter it, you will see a donkey tied there, with its colt beside it. Untie them and bring them to me. 3If anyone asks what you are doing, just say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will immediately let you take them.”
How did Jesus know the donkey and colt would be there?
How do you think you would have responded to Jesus’ command if you were one of the disciples He chose for this task? Why?
Today’s Challenge: I will humbly obey Jesus whatever He tells me to do today!
Tuesday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I praise You that Jesus, birth, life, death and resurrection fulfilled hundreds of Old Testament prophecies that no one else has ever or could ever fulfill! I pray that You will deepen my faith as I see more and more that Jesus’ presence in Your written word is evident from cover to cover. Empower me to live faithfully in Him, and to His glory! In His name I pray. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
4This took place to fulfill the prophecy that said, 5“Tell the people of Israel, ‘Look, your King is coming to you. He is humble, riding on a donkey—riding on a donkey’s colt.’”
Which Scripture makes this prophecy? (You’ll have to do a little research or use your Bible’s cross references!)
What did riding on a donkey symbolize in Jesus day? What does this say to us about Jesus and His lordship in our lives?
Today’s Challenge: I will live humbly as did Jesus, my King!
Wednesday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I praise You for sending Jesus! I praise Jesus for His willingness to give His life in my place. I pray for a new filling of Your Holy Spirit that I may boldly praise Jesus’ name and that I may be a witness among my peers of His amazing power, love and salvation. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
6The two disciples did as Jesus commanded. 7They brought the donkey and the colt to him and threw their garments over the colt, and he sat on it.
8Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting, “Praise God for the Son of David! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the LORD! Praise God in highest heaven!”
Why do you think it was only “most” of the crowd who spread their garments on the road ahead of Jesus? Who would not have done so?
When do you offer your shouts of praise to Jesus for who He is and all He has done?
Today’s Challenge: I will praise Jesus for being God’s anointed one and my Savior!
Thursday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, empower me to live with such boldness and love for Jesus today that those who see me, will see Him in me. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
10The entire city of Jerusalem was in an uproar as he entered. “Who is this?” they asked. 11And the crowds replied, “It’s Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
Who was asking and who was answering the question, “Who is this?”
Who do you think you would have been in the crowd that day, one who asked who Jesus was or one who responded “It’s Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”? Why?
Today’s Challenge: I will tell others of Jesus’ salvation when given the opportunity!
Friday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Jesus didn’t have much patience for those who turned Your house of prayer into a den of thieves. I pray that You will give me the same zeal and passion for You and Your word, and that I won’t compromise or let others abuse Your name. This I pray through Jesus, my Savior and Lord. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
12Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out all the people buying and selling animals for sacrifice. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves. 13He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves!” 14The blind and the lame came to him in the Temple, and he healed them. 15The leading priests and the teachers of religious law saw these wonderful miracles and heard even the children in the Temple shouting, “Praise God for the Son of David.”
Why was Jesus so upset at the money changers?
What did Jesus do to show he had the authority to overturn the tables?
Today’s Challenge: I will live my life so that people see me pointing to Jesus!
Saturday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, May I always put and keep Jesus first in my life. Let me be one who proclaims His name to my friends and neighbors. Use me to glorify You in all that I think, say and do. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
But the leaders were indignant. 16They asked Jesus, “Do you hear what these children are saying?” “Yes,” Jesus replied. “Haven’t you ever read the Scriptures? For they say, ‘You have taught children and infants to give you praise.’”
Why were the leaders indignant?
How did Jesus respond?
What is one application of this Scripture for you today?
Today’s Challenge: I will praise Jesus before others!