Palm Sunday: The Humble and Triumphant King

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Thursday SVC open For Journey to The Cross from 4-7pm (self-guided).

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DECLARATION:

Ephesians 2:20–22 (ESV)

20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

Our church family is built by God, upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, and with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone.

We are joined together by union with Christ, we are growing, we are a dwelling place of God by his Spirit, and we are missionaries.

Prayer for...

INTRODUCTION:

Review:

WHAT IS THE REASON WHY THIS MESSAGE IS BEING SHARED / WHAT IS THE PROBLEM THIS MESSAGE IS ANSWERING?…

BIG IDEA FOR TODAY: Jesus is the King we praise—but He is also the Savior-King who suffers.

WHAT IS THE PICTURE OR ILLUSTRATION FOR THIS BIG IDEA?

Imagine a royal parade where the king, dressed in a simple t-shirt and jeans, rides in on a bicycle instead of a grand chariot. The people are confused yet amused, laughing at the sight, but those who understand know this is no ordinary king. This humor reflects Jesus’ humble entrance into Jerusalem, riding on a donkey. It’s a striking contrast to the expectations of a triumphant king; sometimes true greatness comes dressed in simplicity and sincerity, bringing joy instead of pomp.

Opening Scripture:

Matthew 21:1–3 “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.””

Jesus: The Humble and Triumphant King

1. He Arrived as the Promised King

Matthew 21:4–5 “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.’ ””

Fulfilling Prophecy:

Isaiah 62:11 ESV

11 Behold, the Lord has proclaimed to the end of the earth: Say to the daughter of Zion, “Behold, your salvation comes; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him.”

Zechariah 9:9 ESV

9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Jesus deliberately fulfilled messianic expectations...riding humbly yet royally.

2. He Was Welcomed as a Victorious King

Matthew 21:6–8 “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.”

A King's Reception

Spreading cloaks and branches, signaled honor and hope for deliverance.

3. He Was Praised as the Saving King

Matthew 21:9 “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!””

Shouts of "Hosanna!" (Hosanna means “o Save!”)

Their worship echoed Psalm 118, longing for salvation and recognizing divine favor.

Psalm 118:25–26 “25 Save us, we pray, O Lord! O Lord, we pray, give us success! 26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! We bless you from the house of the Lord.”

4. He Was Recognized as the Prophet-King

Matthew 21:10–11 “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.”” `

The Prophet from Nazareth

They acknowledged His authority not only to reign, but to reveal God's truth.

5. He Entered as the King Who Will Suffer

A Savior on the Road to the Cross

Though hailed with joy, Jesus came to be rejected, to suffer, and to save—His path back to the throne of Heaven went through the cross.

Revelation 7:10 “10 and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!””

Imagine you’re hosting a party and decide to make the main attraction a piñata shaped like a crown. As everyone anticipates the excitement of breaking it open for treats, they laugh and cheer. However, unbeknownst to them, the piñata represents a king who willingly suffers for the joy of others. Just as the crown appears glorious but is filled with sweet yet messy surprises, Jesus entered as a king knowing His path included suffering for our salvation, bringing joy to all who believe.

Conclusion/Reflection:

Palm Sunday invites us not only to shout “Hosanna,” but to follow Him all the way to the cross.

APPLICATION: When you face a stressful week at work, remember Jesus’s journey to the cross. Use this challenge as a chance to act with integrity and uphold your values, even when pressures tempt you otherwise. Perhaps offer assistance to someone who’s struggling, invite a co-worker for lunch to discuss their feelings, or advocate for fair treatment among your team. By doing so, you’re affirming your commitment to Christ, even in a competitive environment.

This Thursday the building will be open from 4-7pm will be a time to come as a Family and walk through various elements to remind us of Jesus’ rejection, suffering, and sacrifice to save us.

Talk It Over

How does the concept of Jesus as both King and Savior-King challenge traditional views of authority?

What does the donkey symbolize in relation to Jesus’s arrival in Jerusalem?

In what ways can we embody Jesus’s humility in our everyday lives?