Jesus lived a daring life, but He was most daring in His death. In the last week of His earthly life, Jesus entered Jerusalem knowing ahead of time it would end with Him being tortured to death on a Roman cross.

Four daring events of “Passion” week in the life of Christ…

1. The Presentation of the King.

Mark 11:1-7, Now when they drew near Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, He sent two of His disciples; and He said to them, “Go into the village opposite you; and as soon as you have entered it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has sat. Loose it and bring it. And if anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord has need of it,’ and immediately he will send it here.” So they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door outside on the street, and they loosed it. But some of those who stood there said to them, “What are you doing, loosing the colt?” And they spoke to them just as Jesus had commanded. So they let them go. Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their clothes on it, and He sat on it.

By entering Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives through the Eastern Gate, while riding on the back of a colt, Jesus was presenting Himself to the Jews as their promised Messiah. This was done in direct fulfillment of biblical prophecies concerning the Promised One.

Zechariah 9:9, Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Ezekiel 43:1-2, Afterward he brought me to the gate, the gate that faces toward the east. And behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east. His voice was like the sound of many waters; and the earth shone with His glory.

2. The Coronation of the King.

Mark 11:8-10, And many spread their clothes on the road, and others cut down leafy branches from the trees and spread them on the road. Then those who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: “Hosanna! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”

By lining the streets with palm branches and clothing and declaring Jesus as the One to usher in David’s Kingdom, the people were receiving Jesus as the Promised King!

3. The Crucifixion of the King.

Mark 15:12-15, Pilate answered and said to them again, “What then do you want me to do with Him whom you call the King of the Jews?” So they cried out again, “Crucify Him!” Then Pilate said to them, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they cried out all the more, “Crucify Him!” So Pilate, wanting to gratify the crowd, released Barabbas to them; and he delivered Jesus, after he had scourged Him, to be crucified.

Jesus had not come to conquer Rome; He had come to conquer sin and death. But one day He will return, and the kingdoms of this world will become one and the same with the Kingdom of Heaven!

Ezekiel 44:1-2, Then He brought me back to the outer gate of the sanctuary which faces toward the east, but it was shut. And the Lord said to me, “This gate shall be shut; it shall not be opened, and no man shall enter by it, because the Lord God of Israel has entered by it; therefore, it shall be shut.”

4. The Resurrection of the King.

Mark 16:5-6, And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him.

Jesus dared to die so that He could arise! It demands we take the same dare!

Dare to live a daring life for the Lord Jesus Christ!

Dare to invite someone to church on Easter weekend!

Dare to find your ONE! Personally share the gospel with someone!

Dare to believe that Christ died for your sin and rose again!

Das Interview der Woche mit Christian Dürr von der FDP