Palm Sunday 2025

GOAL: The hearer will see Jesus as the King of the universe, who has come to set them free.

Unstoppable Jesus

The triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, as described in Luke 19:28-40, was a significant event marking Jesus' arrival in the city. According to the account, Jesus approached Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, near the villages of Bethphage and Bethany. He sent two disciples ahead to fetch a colt that had never been ridden, telling them to say "The Master needs it" if questioned. This fulfilled a prophecy from Zechariah about the Messiah entering Jerusalem on a donkey, symbolizing peace rather than war. As Jesus descended the Mount of Olives, crowds welcomed him joyfully as their King, spreading their cloaks on the road. The event Jesus is entering Jerusalem as the Prince of Peace. And His triumphal entry is recorded in all four Gospels, underscoring its importance in Jesus' ministry, illustrating the fact that He cannot be stopped from completing His mission.

So as the jubilant crowds greeted Jesus with palm branches and cheers, they were witnessing more than just a procession; they were observing the deliberate unfolding of divine purpose. This event was not merely about celebration—it was rich with meaning and intent. Jesus, whom the people hailed as King, was not only entering Jerusalem to fulfill prophecy but also to demonstrate His unwavering commitment to His mission. Through His divine awareness and control over even the smallest details, King Jesus underscores the significance of His path and purpose.

King Jesus Demonstrates The Importance of His Mission Through His Divine Awareness and Control Over the Smallest Details

This point emphasizes Jesus’ divine foreknowledge and authority.

Divine foreknowledge refers to the fact that God has complete knowledge of all future events. 

This includes His awareness of significant occurrences, such as betrayal and sacrifice, suggesting that there’s nothing is outside His knowledge. 

And the fact that Jesus is aware of the tied-up colt that has never been ridden reveals something about Him.

Jesus’ instruction to his disciples to find a colt and bring it to Him, and not just any colt but a very specific one. Jesus even instructed them on what to say to the owner when questioned.

This means Jesus is God — and if He is God, then Jesus is also King. He is fully aware of hte smallest details of a situation, even before they happen.

Last week we discussed the fact that those who love God all things work together for good (Romans 8:28). Something rough may be going on in life today, but we can trust God’s bigger picture: Remember that your current situation is not the end of the story. God is working behind the scenes in ways you may not yet understand.

Even the smallest details of our lives do not get past King Jesus’ notice. Remember, despite the ugliness of situations in life, God loves you and is working in ways you cannot see for your good.

So yes, Jesus demonstrates the importance of His Mission through His divine awareness and control of all details, and a big part of His Mission is for Jesus to enter Jerusalem in Humility and peace.

King Jesus Comes to Jerusalem in Humility and Peace

Jesus Rides the Colt As a Humble King.

Jesus clearly intends to send a message with His mode of transportation. It’s a teaching moment.

In ancient times, kings would ride on donkeys to announce that every enemy had been defeated and every threat put down. A warhorse is no longer needed because there was peace.

Jesus, however, chooses a donkey BEFORE defeating his enemies. He enters Jerusalem defenseless, fully aware of what those who oppose Him have resolved to do to Him. Remember, this is part of His divine foreknowledge—again, meaning He has total knowledge over future events.

For Jesus, this donkey was not just a symbol of royalty. It was also a symbol of humility.

By choosing to ride a colt, Jesus fulfills the prophecy from Zechariah 9:9 “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation, Humble, and mounted on a donkey, Even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” This prophecy depicts a king who comes in humility and peace, not as a conquering warrior.

This also showcases the nature of his kingship, which is not about earthly power but about servitude and sacrifice.

Through the humility exhibited by His choice of a donkey, Jesus would accomplish great things.

The people spread their garments on the road, creating of sorts a “red carpet.”

As often in Jesus’ ministry, word and deed go hand in hand. This event suggests a regal entry, while the praise of the people points to God’s presence. God is being praised for the mighty works he has done through Jesus.

For the disciples, Jesus is the promised King, as Luke 9:18–20 records: “And it happened that while He was praying alone, the disciples were with Him, and He questioned them, saying …“Who do you say that I am?” And Peter answered and said, “The Christ of God.””

Our Gospel writer Luke inserts the reference to a king into the quote form Psalm 118:26 “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord; We have blessed you from the house of the Lord.”

The use of this Psalm is significant because in Jewish worship it was seen ultimately as celebrating God’s plan.

One day the one greeted as coming in the Lord’s name would be the Messiah.

So Jesus comes in humility and peace—peace because He is the source of peace in heaven and glory in the highest (Lk 19:38). And all of creation knows Jesus’ identity, including the rocks on the ground.

King Jesus Declares That Even the Rocks that He Made Know His Identity!

The Pharisees fail to understand the sign of the times.

They approach Jesus to get him to calm the people’s enthusiasm.

The Greek grammar is fantastic, for the leaders ask that the eschatological demonstration be stopped. The phrase “eschatological demonstration” refers to things regarding the end times. In other words, the Pharisees understand exactly what the people are declaring: “Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah that God had promised.”

Pharisees: “Teacher, REBUKE your disciples.”

Irony drips from Jesus’ response: Luke 19:40 “I tell you, if these become silent, the stones will cry out!”

What Jesus is saying, if He could stop them then creation itself would take up the song Luke 19:38 “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord; Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

Jesus appears to be a marshmallow in contrast to a steamroller. Yet, He is unstoppable. He is in the final week of not only His life, but His Mission!

Nothing is going to stop Him. Nothing is going to get in His way of willingly going to the cross to suffer and die for YOU and for Me.

Jesus will not be stopped and all of creation supports this in ways that are unique.

The created world knows who their Lord is, when the Pharisees do not.

Jesus takes an unbroken colt and tamely rides it into Jerusalem.

These typical items of nature are not going to stop him from his mission

The Will of the people will not stop him from his mission.

“The stones will cry out!” — Jesus made the rocks. There wasn’t a stone on the pathway between Bethany and Jerusalem that the Divine logos—the Word of God— has not formed and shaped by the power of His creation.

They were His stones!

They are His rocks, and

He understood that the whole creation is groaning in agony waiting for the redemption that Christ Jesus and Jesus alone would bring.

That Jesus was not just the king of the Jews, or the Savior of the Jews.

Rather, He is king of the cosmos.

Jesus is a cosmic King that the very animals recognized that the very people did not want.

Even inanimate creation understand events better than the leaders do — so deep runs their blindness.

Do with me as you will Pharisees, Pilate, Caesar, but on the Last Day the last word will be spoken by the Father and all whom the Father has given to me will cry out, “Hosanna, Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.”

A divided Israel receives the king into its capital, just as humanity is divided over Jesus today. If one listens to Jesus and to the creation, Luke says, it is obvious who is on the side of the truth and right.

Jesus entry encompasses different kinds of responses. Some know who Jesus is and serve him, following His instructions. Others are open, but not with much understanding. Still others are hostile toward Him.

As a famous saying goes, “All the world is a stage and we are merely players in it.” Yet as the heavens watch, the question remains: “which response to we support?” (Ephesians 3:8-10).

Back in 1 Samuel chapter 8 the Prophet Samuel had to deal with a nation that has rejected God as their King, as they were tired of Yahweh reigning over them. They wanted an earthly King like all the other nations of the world.

Now the King of the Universe—of the very cosmos—is among us here today. He has forgiven you all your sins. He has promised to work all things together for the good of those who love God, and to be with us always, to the very end of the age. Know this, King Jesus has come to set you free from your bondage to sin, death, and the devil.

He is unstoppable in his patience, mercy, and the pain He endured for you. He cannot be stopped from saving sinners. So, as we leave this place this day, how can we help people not to let the gospel grow stale in their lives? And how can we be unstoppable from caving in to our sinful nature? And how can we be unstoppable in showing love for others.

May our Lord bless you this day as you ponder the fact that nothing is going to stop Jesus from loving you. Amen.

Prayer of the Church

Sunday of the Passion (Palm Sunday)

13 April 2025

Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.

Lord of hosts, Your Son entered into Jerusalem amid shouts of “hosanna” and people waving palms. Give us hearts full of His mercy, and join our voices to theirs in these holy days, that we would humbly bow our knees at His holy name. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Holy Lord God, You have revealed the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ to the nations. Guard Your Church against all her enemies. Empower her in the proclamation of the saving Gospel and in the works of mercy that make known Your love to those still in darkness and the shadow of death. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Heavenly Father, You sacrificed Your own Son on the cross, that we may be called Your children. Increase the faith of all Christian fathers, that receiving Jesus and trusting in His atoning sacrifice, they may be enlivened to sacrificial love for their children. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Almighty God, You establish governments and appoint leaders to exercise Your justice, promote virtue and protect the weak. Bless our president, the Congress, our governor, the legislature of this state, all judges and magistrates, and those who protect our liberty at home and abroad. Give us the will and desire to be good and faithful citizens, that we may not dishonor You by our words or conduct. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Father, we bring before You the sick, distressed and needy. We especially pray for Michele Mueller’s brother, Gabriel, as he recovers from brain surgery to remove a tomur that threatened his life. Blessed Lord, we ask for your loving care and protection on Gabe’s behalf. Take from him all fears and help him put his rust in you, that he may feel the strong arms of your protective power. Touch him with your renewing love that you would restore him to wholeness and strength, and thereby glorify your holy name. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! We praise You, Father, that You have sent Your Son not in wrath but in mercy. As we enter this most holy week and ponder together the mysteries of Your great salvation, show us the answer to Your people’s prayers of “hosanna” in the Passion of our Lord, Jesus Christ, who taught us to pray,

Our Father…