With Pastor Mike Curry. "From Cheers to Jeers: The Triumph and Tragedy of Holy Week", Matthew 21:9-11

I. Introduction - Are you ready for Easter?

1. Holy Week is a week of complex emotions and responses

II. Triumph: The Entry into Jerusalem (Matthew 21:9-11) 1. Preparation and Fulfillment of Prophecy: Zechariah 9:9 2. The Crowds' Response:

a. "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the

Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!" (Matthew 21:9).

b. "Hosanna" means "save" or "save now" 3. Political and Religious Implications:

a. Riding on a donkey symbolized humility and peace.

b. Crowd’s expectation: Jesus would overthrow Roman oppression and establish the kingdom of God on earth.

4. The Pharisees' Response

a. “Teacher, rebuke your disciples” (Luke 19:39).

III. Tragedy: The Rejection and Crucifixion (Matthew 27:21-26)

1. What a difference a week makes!

a. Beginning of the Week: Joyful Welcome and Messianic Expectations.

b. End of the Week: Rejection, Condemnation, Betrayal

2. The fickleness of the crowd.

a. Hosanna to Crucify

b. Expectations vs. Reality

c. Influence and Manipulation

d. Spiritual Blindness

IV. Conclusion: Lessons to be Learned

1. Jesus was rejected for many reasons:

a. Political Motives; Misunderstandings of His Mission; and Hardness of Hearts 2. We must guard against rejecting Jesus through:

a. Disobedience, Doubt, and Indifference

Action Point: Let us examine our own hearts and actions while we commit to following Jesus faithfully, even when faced with opposition or rejection.