One Hit Wonders

Rating: All Ages

The term “one-hit wonder” is most commonly used to designate musicians who had only one popular song. For example, one list of “The Greatest One-Hit Wonders of All Time” ranks the 1996 Los del Rios’ song, “Macarena,” at number one.

For purposes of this series, a “one-hit wonder” is a Bible character who is mentioned once, sometimes not even by name. Some of these characters play critical parts in important events, and some just give us an interesting glimpse into their world.

Because little is known about these minor characters, it is necessary to give them personalities that would be reasonable for the situation, then concentrate the episode of the Eyewitness Bible Series around events portrayed in the Bible.

As we often caution, we are not trying to add to what the Bible says; we are simply trying to add context that will help you understand the Bible better. We invite you to read the applicable Scriptures for these stories so you will know exactly what the Bible says.

Just as some one-hit wonder songs are a bit whimsical. Perhaps you will find some of these stories to be the same way. I hope you enjoy them, and learn some unexpected things.

Ep. #1 “Palm Sunday - The Need ” [Series: OHW]

In varying amounts of detail, the Triumphal Entry is described in all four gospel accounts. Only Matthew and John were present at the event, and all four gospel writers had different purposes in choosing the details of their story line.

Although the Triumphal Entry is traditionally taken to have happened on the Sunday before the crucifixion of Jesus, experts vary on the exact day it happened. John wrote that Jesus arrived in Bethany six days before the Passover, and indicates the entry happened the next day. Based on the placement of the passages in the other gospels, it could be interpreted that the entry could have happened as late as two days before Passover.

John says that people were going to see Lazarus, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Matthew indicates a donkey and its colt were to be brought to Jesus, while the other three gospels mention only a colt. Luke indicates the colt had more than one owner. Mark and Luke have Jesus saying the colt will be unridden.

All of the writers have a common goal of relating the event and crowd’s reactions to at least two scriptures:

“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion: shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.” Zechariah 9:9

“Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord: we have blessed you out of the house of the Lord.” Psalm 118:26

When Jesus arrived on the top of the Mount of Olives, he would have looked over the western side of the Mount, across the Kidron Valley, up the eastern side of the Temple Mount, and at the Temple. The Temple was ornately covered with gifts and offerings, many of which were made of gold. It must have been quite a sight to see the many thousands of pilgrims with their campfires, the fires of sacrifice at the Temple, the ancient graves of the prophets, and the city of Jerusalem. The followers of Jesus were rightly impressed with what they could see. Jesus, however, was sorrowful. He could envision the future destruction of everything that his followers were admiring.

Eyewitness Bible

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