Hey everyone good morning! I’m so glad you’re here. Whether you’re with us in the room, joining us online, thank you for joining us today. We’re really grateful you’ve found us, wether you are listen live or later you are truly part of our extended spiritual family.

Listen, If you’ve got kids with you this morning, now’s the time for them to head back to their class. We’ve got a great team ready to welcome them and share Jesus in a way they’ll really understand and enjoy.

For the rest of us, let’s settle in, open our Bibles, and open our hearts. I believe God has something for every single one of us today.

Now we’ve been in a series on Joseph for the last couple of months. We’ve been learning some pretty great things I think. I don’t know about you, but I have been encouraged by seeing God’s sovereignty in the life of Joseph and what is happening in Egypt that will impact the entire world at this point. Just in case anyone isn’t sure what I mean when I talk about God’s sovereignty, this is referring to God’s controlling influence. In other words, God is in charge, and we see that through the story of Joseph more than anywhere else.

That said, today is Palm Sunday and so we really should be focusing on and looking forward to Jesus’ resurrection. Next week is we have the opportunity to really focus in on what Jesus did and how Jesus’ actions have changed the world for eternity.

So, because of that, we are going to take a two week break from talking about Joseph and we are going to focus in on Jesus who is the greater Joseph.

Today we are going to look at Jesus, who is

The Unexpected King

Yeah, what we are going to be reminded of today is that Jesus is not the king the Jewish community was expecting…even today, the Jewish community does not regard Jesus as the King that they have been waiting for. Notably, in an interview with Joe Rogan, Ben Shapiro said Jesus was, “a Jew who tried to lead a revolt against the Romans and got killed for his trouble.”. Even today, the Jewish community doesn’t look to Jesus because he is not what they are expecting to find in the search for the Messiah, King of the Jews.

However, where they search…we have found, and that is an amazing gift. You see, many still search for the Messiah as someone who will come and conquer Israel’s enemy’s and create a new Israel nation that will be the most important nation on the Earth. Two thousand years ago they searched for someone who would conquer Rome…However, in their searching they missed the Jesus who conquered sin.

That’s what we are going to be reminded about this morning. Let’s start off by looking at when Jesus entered Jerusalem the week of his arrest and ultimate crucifixion.

Let’s start by looking at

A Humble Entrance: (v. 1-7)

Let’s go ahead and read this together.

Matthew 21:1–7 ESV

Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 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. If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.” This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying, “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.’ ” The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them.

At this time there would be around 2 million people in and around Jerusalem, as it is close to Passover. You should remember that this is the only time that Jesus sought a public display of any sort. Since Jesus normally went away from crowds and avoided public scenes, why did Jesus plan this demonstration?

I’ll tell you why…Jesus was fulfilling the words of the Prophet Zechariah. This prophecy starting in Zech 9:9 could apply to Jesus only. Now, we wouldn’t typically match a king with a donkey…however, the donkey was actually an animal of royalty to the Jewish Kings. However, there were actually two animals involved in this walk.

There was a mother, and the colt. The colt had never been ridden before, and that is the animal that Jesus rode, with the mother walking beside them. The fact that Jesus rode and controlled this colt is evidence of His kingship.

There was a second reason for this public event…This would force the Jewish leaders to react. You see, when the Jewish leaders saw the demonstration of people that we will read in a moment, they would conclude that Jesus has be eliminated. Other prophetic Scriptures tell us that the Messiah will be crucified on Passover. That the Lamb of God would be sacrificed. This display of popularity would show the leaders that they needed to respond.

Now, there is something that’s missing from this conversation so far. You see, Jesus didn’t enter the city the way a king should enter.

A king would come on a warhorse or chariot: You see, a horse symbolized strength, conquest, and authority. Riding a powerful animal was a public display of dominance. Maybe they would also be surrounded by armed guards or troops, emphasizing their strength and the ability to enforce their rule.

That’s not what Jesus is doing though. Jesus is entering with humility…not as a loud king who is expecting to be served, but as a quiet savior who is coming to serve. It wasn’t just humility though—Remember Jesus was fulfilling Zech 9:9, which prophesied a gentle king coming to bring peace, not war.

That said, Jesus did create a bit of a spectacle similar to a king that the Jewish community would have looked for.

You see, a king would enter the city with fanfare and celebration: Trumpets, banners, and public proclamations would often accompany this important entry. Citizens would line the streets to welcome them, cheer, or throw garlands out in front of them.

This prophecy is something that only Jesus could fulfill…this wasn’t just a humble entrance, but it was an intentional declaration of his true identity as the true King of Peace, and not a military conquest.

What are you looking for out of Jesus? The people of Jerusalem wanted a warrior-king instead of a Prince of Peace…but that’s now who Jesus is. Jesus came to fight the forces of evil for sure, but those forces are in the spiritual realm more than they are in the physical realm.

If we are looking for a Jesus who will simply alleviate all of our physical struggles, then we will miss the humble entrance of a savior into your heart. A savior who doesn’t come to give you a better job, or heal your physical ailments, but who comes to save you from your sin and change your life into a life that is pleasing to the Lord.

All of that said, Jesus did create a bit of a spectacle similar to a king that the Jewish community would have looked for.

You see, a king would enter the city with fanfare and celebration: Trumpets, banners, and public proclamations would accompany this important entry. Citizens would line the streets to welcome them, cheer, or throw garlands out in front of them.

In a moment we will read how Jesus was welcomed into Jerusalem. However, what we see from the way he was welcomed reveals

A Misunderstood Mission (v.8-9)

We need to read how Jesus was welcomed and how the crowd praises Him, expecting deliverance from Rome, not deliverance from sin.

Matthew 21:8–9 ESV

Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 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!”

We can see from this welcoming that they were seeking the leader that would deliver them from Roman occupation. However, that is not what Jesus planned to do. The people of Jerusalem were welcoming Jesus as their king both by their words and their actions. They shouted over and over again, “Hosanna” which would be translated to “Save now!” They were quoting from Psalm 118 which is Messianic in nature.

Now you should remember that this is a crowd that is there largely for the Passover celebrations. This crowd is made up of different people also. There are Jews that live in Jerusalem, there are those from Galilee, and there are people who witnessed Lazarus being raised from the dead. All of these people have witnessed various parts of Jesus’ ministry over the years. All who were there wanted to see this miracle-worker for themselves. Later they will witness the most important part of Jesus’ ministry.

As they are welcoming Jesus in however, they are missing the point of who Jesus is. They are misunderstanding the mission that Jesus has come to fulfill…They are crying out for Jesus to save them now…yet they are blind to the salvation they need.

What about you? Have you missed the point of Jesus? Those in Jerusalem were seeking a King who would fit into their own understandings and expectations. In other words, they were seeking a King to do what they wanted him to do.

What about you? Have you misunderstood why Jesus has come? have you misunderstood what it means to follow Jesus? Have you decided that just attending church or doing moral things is enough to secure your place with him?

Maybe you expect that Jesus will work in ways that meet your desires or expectations, instead of his own redemptive mission…The Jewish people were looking for the Messiah to meet their physical needs instead of their spiritual needs…Are you looking for Jesus to deliver you from your financial or relationship struggles instead of embracing his greater mission of salvation from your sin?

This morning I want you to begin reflecting on who you are looking for Jesus to be…make sure you aren’t fitting Jesus into your agenda instead of submitting to his authority.

So who is Jesus really???

Let’s look at

A Real King with Real Authority (v. 10–11)

Jesus’ identity stirs the whole city — but He defines His kingship on His terms…let’s finish out our passage this morning.

Matthew 21:10–11 ESV

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

The very people that are welcoming Jesus in as a king still do not recognize Jesus as their King. They call him a prophet from Nazareth…not the King of the Jews will all authority. What caused Israel’s spiritual blindness?

Well, for one thing their leaders had robbed them of the truth of the Word of God. Over the years, they had substituted God’s word’s with man-made traditions. These same leaders weren’t interested in learning any part of the truth.

You see, these leaders are connected with the Roman political class. If Jesus overthrows Rome, they will lose their own power. In other words, they were only interested in protecting their own interests. These leaders would yell, “We have no king but Caesar!” This is what caused their spiritual blindness.

Even watching and hearing about Jesus’ miracles could not convince them…all they saw is a loss of power. Of course, the longer they resisted Jesus, the more blind they would become.

All of Jerusalem was stirred and troubled when Jesus was born, just like they are now…as they search and wait for the Messianic King

They are welcoming Jesus into the city with the welcome of a king. They were asking the right questions…but they got an incomplete answer because many walked away before seeing for themselves.

Jesus’ identity stirs the whole city to seek—but Jesus defines his kingship on his terms…not theirs.

Jesus' kingship was not just about His entry into Jerusalem but about His ultimate victory over sin and death hell and the grave. Palm Sunday is not just a day to celebrate the triumphal entry…it is a foreshadowing of Jesus’ triumph over sin!

So many people were caught up in the excitement of Jesus…but they missed the real purpose of his entrance. I’ve known so many people over the years that would get really excited about hearing about Jesus, or even be a art of something that Jesus did…but they missed the point. They were seeking some special feeling instead of a Savior.

Have you missed the point of this entrance? Have you missed the depth of his sacrifice? Jesus came and walked this earth and entered Jerusalem in a powerful way, but until you make Jesus the king of your heart it is just an exciting moment.

Closing:

Listen, if you’re new here, or if you’re not new here…there are people in this room and listening online that have yet to make Jesus their king…is that you?

You’ve seen and heard of the differences between expectations vs. reality. You know that many sought Jesus as a military warrior like King David in the Old Testament. Many then, and many today are seeking a king of their own making instead of a king that makes a way for them…Is that you?

Look at your hearts this morning…In a few moments the praise team is going to come and lead us in a closing song, and I want you to examine your hearts before you leave out of here this morning. Do you just want Jesus to fix your problems…or are you ready to submit to his rule and authority as your savior and king? This is the decision that has been laid before you. Will you throw a branch or a robe in front of Jesus, or will your throw your life?

This week we begin the Easter week where Jesus confronts sin in Jerusalem, and he confronts sin in your own life. How can you live in response to Jesus being the Unexpected King

Maybe for you this means you need to embrace Jesus in a more full way, and stop playing games instead of serving and worshiping him daily. Maybe for you this means you need to allow Jesus to reign in your life, and allow that rule to shape your choices and your actions moving forward. Ask yourself what it looks like to follow a king who reigns through sacrifice.

You can’t call yourself a Christ follower, or a Christian while living for the world. It just doesn’t work that way. This morning…make sure you are straight with the Lord before you leave out of here. Allow Jesus to define

The crown Jesus wears isn’t made of gold, but thorns — because His kingdom is one of grace.

This morning we reflected on the triumphal entry which leads to Jesus’ arrest, torture, and crucifixion on Good Friday…Next Sunday everything is going to tie together…so plan on being here

Let’s Pray: focusing on recognizing Jesus' authority in our lives and surrendering to Him as King.