“Jesus Redefines What It Means To Be King”- John 12:12-19

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September 2022, Queen Elizabeth’s funeral procession was a somber spectacle of pomp and circumstance, celebrating a reign of almost 71 years, the longest of any British monarch. The hearse, followed by the king, Queen consort, most of the royal family. Preceded by the military, the Royal Canadian Police, service members from around the world totaling 3,000. 250,000 would pay their respects in London, 33,000 would pass by her coffin in Edinburgh.

In 2018, George H. W. Bush, the 41rst U.S. president, the longest living president in U.S. history at the time, now surpassed by President Carter. Flags ordered to fly at half staff for 30 days. An aerial flyover of fighter jets in missing man formation by the US Air Force. Special Air Mission 41 would transport his body. Dignitaries from around the world would gather. Thousands would come to pay respects. Millions would watch it unfold on television.

Imagine a modern-day leader—say, a president or prime minister—choosing to arrive at their inauguration not in a sleek limousine with a motorcade, but on a bicycle or a modest scooter. The crowd might cheer, but they’d also be confused, expecting grandeur.

This is not to disrespect either of these amazing human beings. They both earned the respect of two grateful nations. I’m not judging the merits of our ceremonies to honor people in high offices throughout our world. Perhaps we could argue the expense, but even that isn’t the point I want to make this morning.

Jesus is nothing like other kings of this world. His humble entry on a donkey.

Jesus enters Jerusalem 1 week before rising from the dead on Easter Sunday. His entry- Palm Sunday—because of the waving and laying down of palms along Jesus’ path as he arrived. Over time, waving palm branches has become a way to honor people in victory. The people chanted “King of Israel” and proclaimed Jesus as victorious. Clearly this is a day marked for celebration. Jesus’ choice of a donkey flips worldly expectations of power upside down. It’s a deliberate sign that His kingdom prioritizes peace and humility over domination.

Today we join an ancient crowd in Jerusalem. We envision the palms waving- the shouts of the crowds “hosanna.”

It is also the start of our Holy Week journey and cause for our deep reflection as we enter. Today’s scripture passage captures the moment of Jesus’ arrival on a donkey—fulfilling OT prophesy—revealing Jesus’ identity as King— but not just any king.

It’s a theological turning point—and if we listen, it is still speaking to us today. I think the question we ask ourselves is this:

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What does it really mean to welcome Jesus as King in 2025?

Let’s pray this morning.

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John 12:12-19

The Triumphal Entry

12 The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. 13 So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” 14 And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written,

15  “Fear not, daughter of Zion;

behold, your king is coming,

sitting on a donkey’s colt!”

16 His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him. 17 The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to bear witness. 18 The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign. 19 So the Pharisees said to one another, “You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, the world has gone after him.”

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Jesus arrived in Bethany——on to Jerusalem

So we begin in John 12, with Jesus arrival in Bethany, a town located on the southeastern slope of the Mount of Olives, less than 2 miles from Jerusalem. It’s 6 days before Passover. He’s raised Lazarus and now is heading to Jerusalem during Passover.

The crowd is excited—-It’s a celebration after all. There is expectation. Jesus of Nazareth has conquered death— the news of Lazarus resurrection has traveled fast.

Passover by nature is a celebration. It’s festive. This is a celebration of God’s deliverance from Egypt. And now——Jesus is thought to be the “new Moses”—-and now the expectations of the crowds are focused on their deliverance, and it’s now all about Rome. Up to this point—some have heard about Jesus— Some prophet who was going around performing miracles. But now—— a resurrection, with Lazarus, there is now the thought that this prophet called Jesus, is something much more. “Save us now”——is the chant from:

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

But their hope is more political, more worldly, more about what’s good for them. Their thinking short-term, not eternal.

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2025——We’re a crowd too!

We hunger, we cry for what we want and do not have. We still remain hungry for hope, relief from our economic struggles, global tension, and personal trials.

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What “Hosannas” are you shouting today?

Are we asking Jesus for quick fixes to our “today’s problems” or something eternal?

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Zechariah 9:9 “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.”

OT prophecy. No war horse. A donkey signifying peace and humility. This King is humble and lowly. Even the disciples don’t have a clue to what is unfolding and truth be told, they don’t really get it until after the resurrection.

Picture a rock concert where fans scream for their favorite band. Some are there for the music, others for the vibe, and a few just want to be seen. The crowd waving palms is like that—some see Jesus as a miracle-worker, others as a potential rebel king to overthrow Rome. Few grasp He’s there to save souls, not start a revolution.

Jesus must have been underwhelming for many. This crowd had the mindset and desire of a powerful warrior. They weren’t looking for peace. They were looking for someone who would be powerful enough to overtake the Roman Empire.

But instead, triumph and suffering are about to intertwine. The Pharisees have another view——they are jealous. They don’t like the crowds following Jesus.

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In 2025——What do we admire?

Power, wealth, influence, control? Jesus challenges us. Will we follow a king who rides in humility?

The crowd’s enthusiasm spreads—-yet John is hinting at how fragile things, especially with the track record of this crowd. They weren’t too welcoming.

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John 11:37 “But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man also have kept this man from dying?””

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John 11:45–46 “Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what he did, believed in him, but some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done.”

So in that instance—for some, the resurrection of Lazarus went their way—-so now they “believe” and follow. Others fled to gain favor with the Pharisees.

Many of these same people will soon be the same voices shouting “crucify him.”

God’s plan is unfolding—-with the lack of human understanding, even the disciples.

Palm Sunday invites us to examine ourselves—our purpose here today.

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Palm Sunday——Will our praise endure past Sunday?

As we wave our palms in celebration today—- are we truly welcoming Jesus only when convenient? In 2025, will all of its uncertainty—-will we trust him through the empty tomb?

John 12;12-19 Shows us that the crowds are longing for salvation, a Savior. As we journey forward this week to Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, then Easter—- let’s don’t just shout “hosanna” today an forget all about Jesus tomorrow.

Today may be your day—-to crown Jesus King in your heart and in your life.—-above our fears and uncertainties, our plans, our lives—-In a world chasing a whole lot of other things.

Palm Sunday points to a victory not yet fully understood—Jesus’ death and resurrection, not earthly triumph (implied in the broader context).

Consider a chess game where a player sacrifices their queen. To the untrained eye, it looks like a loss—why give up such a powerful piece? But the master knows it’s the move that secures checkmate. Jesus’ entry on a donkey, hailed by the crowd, is the start of a week that looks like defeat but ends in the ultimate win over sin and death.

We are called on Palm Sunday, to trust God’s strategy even when it doesn’t make sense—Palm Sunday is the opening move in a divine checkmate.

Today let us choose to follow the One on the donkey—whose love conquers all. The week will get tougher to watch, but Sunday is coming!