Palm Sunday – “When the New Doesn’t Look Like You Expected”

Series Title: Behold, I Am Making All Things New

Matthew 21:1–11 ESV

1 Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.” 4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying, 5 “Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’ ” 6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. 8 Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” 10 And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” 11 And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.”

I. Crowds, Palms, and Expectations

As Jesus rode into Jerusalem that first Palm Sunday, the streets were filled with celebration. Crowds lined the road shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” Palm branches waved in the air—a symbol of victory. Cloaks were thrown down as a sign of honor. It looked like a royal welcome, a coronation parade.

But there’s something deeper going on here—something we must understand to grasp the full weight of Palm Sunday.

To put it simply:

The people were welcoming the right person, but for the wrong reason.

They were excited, yes. They were worshiping, yes. But their hearts were filled with a false expectation of who the Messiah was supposed to be.

What Did the Jews Expect the Messiah to Be?

The Jewish people had been waiting for the Messiah for centuries. Their expectations were shaped by:

1. Old Testament Prophecies of a Kingly Deliverer

They looked to passages like:

2 Samuel 7:12–13 – God promised David that one of his descendants would reign forever.

Isaiah 9:6–7 – “The government shall be upon His shoulder… of the increase of His government and of peace there will be no end.”

Jeremiah 23:5 – “I will raise up for David a righteous Branch… and He shall reign as king and deal wisely.”

These led the people to expect a military and political king—a Messiah who would:

Defeat Israel’s enemies (like Rome)

Restore national independence

Reestablish the throne of David in Jerusalem

Bring prosperity, justice, and peace to the Jewish nation

In their minds, the Messiah was coming with a sword, not with a cross.

2. Oppression Under Rome Intensified the Expectation

By the time of Jesus, the Jews were living under brutal Roman occupation:

Heavy taxation

Injustice and abuse

Desecration of sacred customs

A constant sense of humiliation

So, their longing for a deliverer wasn’t just theological—it was desperate and emotional.

They weren’t just looking for a Savior from sin. They were crying out for a revolutionary leader to overthrow Caesar and restore national glory.

That’s why they shouted “Hosanna!”—which means “Save us now!”

3. They Misunderstood the Messiah’s Mission

What they didn’t see—despite all the prophecies—was that the Messiah was coming not just to reign, but to suffer.

Isaiah 53 described a Suffering Servant who would be pierced, crushed, and led like a lamb to the slaughter.

Zechariah 9:9 spoke of a King who would come “gentle and riding on a donkey.”

But those didn’t fit the image they wanted.

So when Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey, not a war horse— When He wept over the city instead of rallying troops— When He drove out moneychangers instead of Roman soldiers— When He surrendered to arrest instead of calling down angels—

They turned on Him.

They cried “Hosanna!” on Sunday… But by Friday, many of those same voices would cry, “Crucify Him.”

Transition to Sermon Theme:

And here’s the sobering truth for us today:

Sometimes God’s “new thing” doesn’t look the way we imagined. And when it doesn’t, we’re tempted—like they were—to turn away.

But if we’re willing to see Jesus for who He really is—not just who we want Him to be—then we’ll discover He came to do something far greater than we expected.

Not to sit on a throne in Jerusalem… but to reign in our hearts forever.

Palm Sunday is often remembered as a moment of celebration—a triumphal entry. Crowds gathered, shouting “Hosanna!” waving palm branches, throwing cloaks on the ground.

But what looked like a parade… Was actually the beginning of a collision between expectation and reality. They wanted a king who would conquer—but Jesus came to suffer and save.

What do you do when God doesn’t come the way you expected?

II. They Cried ‘Hosanna!’ But Didn’t Understand What They Were Saying

Matthew 21:6–9 ESV

6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. 8 Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”

“Hosanna” means “Save us now!”

They were crying out for salvation—but only on their terms.

The Problem:

They wanted salvation, but not surrender.

They wanted change, but not a cross.

Be careful not to worship Jesus for what you want Him to do, instead of who He truly is.

Today some “Christians” are no different than the Jews of that day, their Jesus is molded in their image not the other way around.

1. The Blessing Dispenser

“Jesus, make my life easier.”

Some people approach Jesus like a vending machine:

They want health, wealth, success, and happiness,

But they have little interest in surrender, obedience, or suffering.

They love the Jesus who blesses, but struggle with the Jesus who says, “Take up your cross and follow Me.”

2. The Crisis Fixer

“Jesus, get me out of this mess.”

In times of trouble, we cry out—just like the Palm Sunday crowd shouting “Hosanna!” (Save us now!). But as soon as the storm passes, so does the devotion.

They want rescue, but not necessarily relationship.

3. The Political Champion

“Jesus is on my side.”

Some see Jesus as the mascot of their political party or cultural cause. They try to mold Him to fit their agenda—whether conservative or progressive.

But Jesus didn’t come to take sides—He came to take over.

4. The Life Coach

“Jesus, help me be a better version of me.”

This view sees Jesus as a motivator or self-help guru—someone who improves your habits, boosts your confidence, or helps you chase your dreams.

But Jesus didn’t come to make your old life better—He came to make you new (2 Cor. 5:17

2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

5. The Religious Symbol

“Jesus makes me feel spiritual.”

For some, Jesus is a tradition, a symbol, a name we invoke to feel good. But there’s no real desire to know Him as Lord.

They want religion without repentance. Grace without truth. A crossless Christianity.

What Does True Worship Look Like?

True worship sees Jesus as:

Savior, not just helper

King, not just counselor

Lord, not just friend

The Lamb who was slain, not just the miracle worker

True worship says, “Even if You don’t do what I want, I’ll still follow You—because You are worthy.”

III. Jesus Still Brings What We Truly Need

Matthew 21:10–11 ESV

10 And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” 11 And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.”

“Who is this?” they asked. And the crowd answered, ‘This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth.’

They still didn’t get it. They saw a prophet, not a Savior. A man from Nazareth, not the Son of God.

But Jesus didn’t come to meet their expectations. He came to meet their deepest need:

To defeat sin, not Rome.

To conquer death, not Caesar.

To bring eternal peace, not temporary power.

And that is what we still need today.

Let’s get real with our faith, let’s look at Jesus His way

1. We Need to See Jesus as Savior, Not Just a Problem-Solver

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:10) We don’t just need Jesus to fix our temporary problems—we need Him to rescue our souls from eternal separation from God.

2. We Need to Experience Jesus as Lord, Not Just a Life Coach

“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?” (Luke 6:46) True discipleship means submission to His authority, not simply using His words to improve our lives.

3. We Need Jesus as the Suffering Servant, Not Just the Reigning King

“He was pierced for our transgressions… and by His wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5) Before the crown, there was a cross. We need to experience His sacrifice before we can share in His victory.

4. We Need to See Jesus as the Truth, Not Just the Comforter

“I am the way, the truth, and the life…” (John 14:6) Jesus doesn’t only come to make us feel better—He comes to tell us the truth, even when it convicts or confronts us.

5. We Need Jesus as the Bread of Life, Not Just Daily Bread

“Whoever comes to Me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in Me shall never thirst.” (John 6:35) He is not just our provider, He is our sustainer—our very source of life.

6. We Need Jesus as the Good Shepherd, Not Just a Guide

“The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11) He doesn’t just point us in the right direction—He walks with us, protects us, and gives His life for us.

7. We Need Jesus as the Lamb of God, Not Just a Religious Figure

“Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29) The heart of the gospel is atonement—we need to see Jesus as the once-for-all sacrifice for our sin.

8. We Need to See Jesus as the Coming Judge, Not Just a Past Healer

“He has fixed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness…” (Acts 17:31) Jesus is not just the Savior of the world—He is the One before whom all will stand.

9. We Need Jesus as the Resurrected King, Not a Religious Memory

“I am the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore…” (Revelation 1:18) Jesus is not a figure of the past—He is alive, reigning now, and coming again.

10. We Need to See Jesus as the Center, Not an Accessory

“He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” (Colossians 1:17) He is not meant to be part of our life—He is meant to be all of it.

Conclusion: What About You?

Have you ever been disappointed in how God showed up?

Has His plan ever looked different than yours?

Are you willing to trust Him—even when the “new thing” doesn’t come in the package you expected?

Church, the road into Jerusalem was lined with people shouting “Hosanna!” They waved palm branches. They laid down their cloaks. They praised Jesus with their mouths…

…but they rejected Him with their hearts.

By Friday, many of those same voices cried, “Crucify Him.”

Why? Because He didn’t come the way they wanted. He didn’t fit their expectations. They wanted a throne—He brought a cross. They wanted a revolution—He offered redemption.

And now, 2,000 years later… we face the same question: What will we do when Jesus doesn’t come the way we expected?

Will we follow Him when His way costs us something? Will we worship Him when He calls us to surrender? Will we bow our lives, not just our heads, and crown Him Lord of all—not just Lord of the easy?

Jesus isn’t asking for your applause. He’s asking for your allegiance.

He is not your backup plan. He is not your motivational speaker. He is not your political platform. He is the Lamb of God, the King of Glory, and the only Savior of the world.

And today, He’s not riding into Jerusalem—He’s riding into your heart.

Will you make room? Will you surrender your expectations? Will you follow Him all the way to the cross?

Because the path to resurrection always begins with surrender.

Let us not be a church that praises Him on Sunday… and forgets Him by Friday.

Let us be the people who cry out—not just “Hosanna” with our lips, but “Have Your way, Lord” with our lives.

Today is the day to decide.

Invitation

Church, with every head bowed and every eye closed...

Today you’ve heard the truth: Jesus is not always what we expected—but He is everything we need.

And now, just as He rode into Jerusalem, He comes to you. Not with force… Not with fear… But with an invitation:

“Will you follow Me… even when the way leads to the cross?”

If you’ve been worshiping Jesus for what He can do for you instead of surrendering to who He really is… If you've been holding on to your own expectations, your own will, your own way… Today is the day to lay it down.

Lay it down like the cloaks on that road. Lay it down like the pride in the crowd. Lay it down—and follow Him.

Call to Respond:

If you’re ready to say:

“Jesus, I want to know You as You truly are.”

“I surrender my expectations.”

“I give You my life—fully, completely, and without condition.”

Then I invite you to come.

Come to this altar. Come and kneel. Come and receive Him—not as you imagined—but as He really is: Savior, Lord, and King.