INTRODUCTION
When Jesus entered Jerusalem on what is called the Triumphal Entry, very few people would have imagined what was going to transpire over the next week. On that historic Palm Sunday the crowd cheered and declared, “Hosanna, hosanna,” which literally means “save now.” But crowds are fickle, because several days later those same people shouted, “Crucify Him!” Before we can celebrate the triumph of the empty tomb and what that represents for us as His followers, it’s important that we reflect on the tragedy of the Cross and what it cost Jesus for our freedom and eternal life.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1- Who is Jesus to you? Is He a religious or historical figure, a great teacher, a character, a King, your King?

2- Jesus said that He came to set the captives free (Isaiah 61:1-5; Luke 4:16-21).
Where have you experienced His freedom in your life?

3- Have you made Jesus the King of your life? If yes, share a brief testimony of that experience.

4- Are you worshipping and honoring Jesus as your personal King?

5- Are you allowing Him to reign and rule in your life today? Explain.

6- Put yourself in the Palm Sunday, Triumphal Entry story. Where do you seeyourself…shouting “Hosanna” or “Crucify Him?”

7- In the Garden of Gethsemane we see the humanity of Jesus. Generally speaking, the world has a hard time with the deity of Christ; believers can have a hard time with the humanity of Christ. Where are you in that equation?

MOVING FORWARD
This Easter season, let’s take time to pause and reflect on the purchase price of our salvation. The Cross is where the justice of God and the mercy of God collide…Jesus got the justice, we got the mercy. From the Triumphal Entry to the Last Supper, to the Garden—where He was betrayed and arrested and eventually crucified, we see Jesus willingly lay His life down for you and me. His obedience and trust in His Father, even to His death serves as the supreme example that God has a plan and a purpose for every one of His children. And what follows the end of our obedience is freedom. Let’s thank our heavenly Father for the gift of His Son, Jesus and the eternal life He gives.