1. Read Matthew 21:1-11 and Isaiah 52:7-10. What connection is there between these two passages? What is being celebrated?
2. Read Isaiah 52:13-53:4. How does the contrast feel between these verses, and the joyful tone of the previous passages?
3. How do you think the people might have felt, who experienced the joy of celebrating Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, and then witnessed the suffering and desolation of his death? Can you relate in any way to what this might have been like? Have you ever experienced a dramatic shift like this, from joy to devastation?
4. What does Isaiah 52:13-53:4 reveal about how the cross, and the suffering of Christ, was viewed?
5. Despite the suffering that was to come, it was just right for the people to celebrate when Jesus arrived in Jerusalem. God’s plan would not look like they expected, but Jesus truly did come to save them.

a. Can you think of examples, either in your life, or found throughout scripture, where God’s plans didn’t unfold in the way that anyone expected?

b. In what ways did God’s redemption plan through Jesus look different from what was expected?

c. How is God’s way of leading, guiding, and saving His people different from what worldly power and leadership typically looks like?

  6. Isaiah 52 reveals that the suffering of the cross is what it looks like for the Lord to reign. What impact does it have                   for us to view the cross as the place where the Lord is raised and lifted up and highly exalted?

   7.  What promises did Jesus come to fulfill? (hint: look through Isaiah 52 to see what was promised).

a. In what ways are these promises still relevant for us? In what ways do we need this saving work in our lives today?

b. How did Jesus’ death on the cross serve to bring God’s promises to fulfillment?

   9. How must we adjust our perspective to view Christ’s suffering and death rightly?

a. What made Christ’s suffering so ugly? (reflect on Isaiah 53:3-5)

b. What else are we meant to see when we lift our eyes to the cross? (hint: What does it change for us to understand the cross as the fulfilment of Isaiah 52:13? How do we understand the cross through the lens of John 3:16)

c. In what way is the celebration of Psalm Sunday just right, in light of the cross, not despite it?