4-13-25 (Jeremy Stewart) The Garden and the Curtain

Mark 11:1-11
As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 3 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’”

4 They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, 5 some people standing there asked, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” 6 They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. 7 When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. 8 Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. 9 Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted,

“Hosanna!”

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

10 “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!”

“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

11 Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple courts. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.

FROM THE SERMON

Cherubim - creatures with human heads, animal bodies, and often wings. They were guardians, standing outside of temples and other sacred spaces to serve as a warning.

The Garden
Genesis 3:22 - Humanity in its sinfulness is no threat to God, but a threat to itself and creation.
Genesis 3:24 - The Cherubim guard the entrance to Eden for our own protection.

From the book: The Garden, the Curtain, and the Cross
"It is wonderful to live with Him, but because of your sin you can't come in."

The Curtain
The account of building Solomon's Temple - 1 Kings 6, 2 Chronicles 3

Garden Iconography in the Temple:

• Carved with trees, flowers, and fruit (1 Kings 6:18, 29)
• Golden lampstand (Menorah) represents a tree (Exodus 25)
• The CURTAIN is covered in Cherubim

Palm Sunday
Mark 11:11 - Jesus visits the temple, remembers the garden, and sees the curtain.

Discussion Questions

1. Share a time when you or someone you know failed to heed a warning (funny or serious).
2. What does the garden narrative in scripture (Genesis 2 and 3) tell us about God's design and intentions for humanity?
3. How does the temple (or the tabernacle before it) point back to Eden? (Some examples were shared during the sermon, but there are more ways that weren't discussed as well!)
4. Why would God have instructed the creation of the tabernacle and temple in a way that would reference and remind people of the Garden of Eden?
5. How do you think Jewish people felt when they saw the curtain covered with Cherubim blocking the way to the Most Holy Place?
6. When Jesus rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, the beginning of the week of his death, he went into the temple and looked around (Mark 11:11). What thoughts do you think went through his mind, knowing that his death was soon approaching?
7. One way we worship God is by loving and caring for those who bear His image. What are some ways you could join others or your family in doing that this week to prepare to celebrate the resurrection on Easter?