The Shadow of the Cross
Easter 2025 • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Text: Mark 11:1-11 (The Triumphal Entry)
Now when they drew near Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, He sent two of His disciples;
and He said to them, “Go into the village opposite you; and as soon as you have entered it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has sat. Loose it and bring it.
And if anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord has need of it,’ and immediately he will send it here.”
So they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door outside on the street, and they loosed it.
But some of those who stood there said to them, “What are you doing, loosing the colt?”
And they spoke to them just as Jesus had commanded. So they let them go.
Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their clothes on it, and He sat on it.
And many spread their clothes on the road, and others cut down leafy branches from the trees and spread them on the road.
Then those who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: “Hosanna! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’
Blessed is the kingdom of our father David That comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”
And Jesus went into Jerusalem and into the temple. So when He had looked around at all things, as the hour was already late, He went out to Bethany with the twelve.
Mark 15:22-32 (The Crucifixion)
And they brought Him to the place Golgotha, which is translated, Place of a Skull.
Then they gave Him wine mingled with myrrh to drink, but He did not take it.
And when they crucified Him, they divided His garments, casting lots for them to determine what every man should take.
Now it was the third hour, and they crucified Him.
And the inscription of His accusation was written above: THE KING OF THE JEWS
With Him they also crucified two robbers, one on His right and the other on His left.
So the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And He was numbered with the transgressors.”
And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads and saying, “Aha! You who destroy the temple and build it in three days,
save Yourself, and come down from the cross!”
Likewise the chief priests also, mocking among themselves with the scribes, said, “He saved others; Himself He cannot save.
Let the Christ, the King of Israel, descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Even those who were crucified with Him reviled Him.
Theme: Jesus enters Jerusalem as a king destined for the cross, revealing that true victory comes through sacrifice.
Objective: To help listeners understand the paradoxical triumph of Christ’s mission and embrace the cost of following Him.
Introduction
Introduction
1. Attention-Getting Opening:
a. Can you see it? Picture the entry of a king into a city. The streets are lined with crowds shouting His praises. How does that look? You’d expect a mighty war stallion, or perhaps a golden chariot. A large entourage and honor guard.
Now look back at that scene and see the reality of the King of Kings entering the city on a borrowed donkey, cheered by a crowd waving branches, only to be nailed to a cross days later. This is no ordinary story—it’s the story of Jesus, where triumph and tragedy collide.
2. Contextual Background:
a. In Mark 11, Jesus enters Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, fulfilling Zechariah 9:9 as the humble Messiah.
The crowd expects a warrior-king to overthrow Rome, but Jesus’ path leads to the cross (Mark 15). Historically, Passover heightened messianic hopes, yet Jesus redefines kingship through sacrifice.
3. Textual Tie-In:
a. Mark 11:1-11 shows the celebration of Jesus’ arrival; They greeting Him with enthusiasm and expectation
Mark 15:22-32 reveals the cost. Jesus’ true victory came on the cross when He defeated sin.
Together, they frame the shadow of the cross over the Triumphal Entry.
4. Transitional Sentence:
a. Let’s explore how Jesus’ journey from palms to the cross teaches us about His mission and our response.
Body
I. The King’s Humble Procession (Mark 11:1-11)
I. The King’s Humble Procession (Mark 11:1-11)
This passage has been called Jesuss’ triumphal entry. It is more accurately described as Jesus’ coronation as the true King.
Explanation (Grammatical-Historical Insight):
o Vv. 1-6:
Now when they drew near Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, He sent two of His disciples;
and He said to them, “Go into the village opposite you; and as soon as you have entered it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has sat. Loose it and bring it.
And if anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord has need of it,’ and immediately he will send it here.”
So they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door outside on the street, and they loosed it.
But some of those who stood there said to them, “What are you doing, loosing the colt?”
And they spoke to them just as Jesus had commanded. So they let them go.
Jesus instructs His disciples to fetch a colt,
The term “colt” (Greek: pōlos) emphasizes humility, not military might. Historically, kings rode horses for war, donkeys for peace.
In sending His disciples to get the young donkey,
Jesus once again displayed His deity
He KNEW there would be a colt and that the owner would let Jesus use it!
Jesus intentionally chose to display His royalty
Specifically fulfilling the unusual prediction of Zech 9:9
“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, Lowly and riding on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey.
Kings didn’t normally ride in humility, yet Jesus did!
His whole life displayed humility
Conception- GOD of the universe. All powerful, All knowing, everywhere at once..… limited himself to a human body. Born in the normal way (9 months growing totally reliant on mother)
Birth- born in the barn and used a feed trough for a crib. He couldn’t walk, talk, etc. He experienced real human helplessness and dependence upon Mary and Joseph
Life- lived poor and nomadic
And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”
This humble ride fit the rest of His life perfectly!
o Vv. 7-10:
Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their clothes on it, and He sat on it.
And many spread their clothes on the road, and others cut down leafy branches from the trees and spread them on the road.
Then those who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: “Hosanna! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’
Blessed is the kingdom of our father David That comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”
Welcomed as the True King!
The crowd spreads cloaks and branches, shouting “Hosanna!” (Hebrew: “Save now!”), a cry rooted in Psalm 118:25-26.
Save now, I pray, O Lord; O Lord, I pray, send now prosperity.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! We have blessed you from the house of the Lord.
Though He rode in humility, they greeted Him as a conquering King
Cloaks on the road, so the colt didn’t touch the dust was a common practice in welcoming a King
Waving branches- palm branches were considered a symbol of victory
Crying out “SAVE NOW!”
They see a deliverer, but misunderstand His mission.
They wanted deliverance from Rome… Jesus had a far greater purpose!
o V. 11:
And Jesus went into Jerusalem and into the temple. So when He had looked around at all things, as the hour was already late, He went out to Bethany with the twelve.
Jesus enters the temple complex with it courts and buildings and looks around
Looking around is unique to Mark’s gospel
Jesus is rightfully acting as one with authority to inspect everything.
and departs quietly—foreshadowing judgment, not conquest.
Illustration:
A modern parade welcomes a hero with fanfare, but what if the hero’s goal was to surrender for the crowd’s sake?
Application:
Jesus’ humility challenges our expectations. We often seek a Savior for our agendas, not His costly plan.
Like the crowd, we should enthusiastically worship Jesus!
But we must guard against putting our expectations on Jesus and demanding He do what we want!
Transitional Question:
If Jesus came as a humble king, what does His destination—the cross—reveal about His purpose?
II. The King’s Costly Sacrifice (Mark 15:22-32)
II. The King’s Costly Sacrifice (Mark 15:22-32)
· Explanation (Grammatical-Historical Insight):
o Vv. 22-24: Mark 15:22-24
And they brought Him to the place Golgotha, which is translated, Place of a Skull.
Then they gave Him wine mingled with myrrh to drink, but He did not take it.
And when they crucified Him, they divided His garments, casting lots for them to determine what every man should take.
“Golgotha” (Aramaic: “Skull”) marks the execution site.
Crucifixion was Rome’s brutal punishment for rebels, yet Jesus is no political threat.
He was innocent, yet treated as a rebel
The wine with myrrh (v. 23) was a sedative He refuses, embracing suffering fully.
it would have temporarily deadened the pain. It was probably tradition to do this keep them from struggling.
Jesus remained fully alert and embraced the price He was paying. His love held Him there more than any drugs or nails.
Divided His garments
They divide My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots.
o Vv. 25-28: Mark 15:25-28
Now it was the third hour, and they crucified Him.
And the inscription of His accusation was written above: THE KING OF THE JEWS
With Him they also crucified two robbers, one on His right and the other on His left.
So the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And He was numbered with the transgressors.”
At the “third hour” (9 a.m.), He’s crucified with criminals, fulfilling Isaiah 53:12
Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great, And He shall divide the spoil with the strong, Because He poured out His soul unto death, And He was numbered with the transgressors, And He bore the sin of many, And made intercession for the transgressors.
(“numbered with the transgressors”).
Treated like any criminal under death penalty
The inscription “King of the Jews” (v. 26) was true.
The inscription would list the crime and reason for death penalty.
Pilate had found Him innocent, but gave in to the political pressure from the Jewish leaders.
This title was probably written to be an affront to the Jews
Jesus was dying because He was their king
Though rejected by Pilate and the Jews, the inscription was 100% right!
Welcomed as King.… now crucified under the same title.
Pilate refused to change the inscription, which is revealed through all the gospels to read:
“This is Jesus of Nazareth, the king of the Jews.
o Vv. 29-32:
And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads and saying, “Aha! You who destroy the temple and build it in three days,
save Yourself, and come down from the cross!”
Likewise the chief priests also, mocking among themselves with the scribes, said, “He saved others; Himself He cannot save.
Let the Christ, the King of Israel, descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Even those who were crucified with Him reviled Him.
Passersby and priests taunt Him to “save Himself,” echoing Satan’s temptation (Mark 1:13).
And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan, and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered to Him.
If it had been you or me on the cross, this would be ridiculous!
BUT, Jesus really could have saved Himself
At his arrest:
But Jesus said to him, “Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.
Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels?
How then could the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen thus?”
The cross had always been the site of Jesus’ battle and victory over sin.
Jesus’ silence fulfills His mission (Isaiah 53:7).
He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth.
Now when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.
And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”
Jesus keenly feld the abandonment by the Father
This came as a result of bearing the Father’s wrath for our sins
For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
And Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and breathed His last.
And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ ” Having said this, He breathed His last.
Jesus voluntarily gave up His life for us
“Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again.
No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.”
Illustration:
o A firefighter runs into a burning building, ignoring escape, to save others—Jesus’ cross is that kind of love.
· Application:
o The cross shows victory through surrender.
Jesus laid down His life for US!
For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit,
We’re called to deny ourselves (Mark 8:34), not demand deliverance on our terms.
When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
Our life is to be one of surrender to the KING!
Transitional Question:
o If the cross was His path to glory, how does it shape our lives under its shadow?
III. The King’s Paradoxical Victory (Mark 11:9-10, 15:31-32)
III. The King’s Paradoxical Victory (Mark 11:9-10, 15:31-32)
Explanation (Grammatical-Historical Insight):
o Mark 11:9-10:
Then those who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: “Hosanna! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’
Blessed is the kingdom of our father David That comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”
“Blessed is the kingdom of our father David!” reflects the crowd’s hope for restored glory.
They had hope, but their hope was misplaced
They wanted Earthly deliverance here and now
Just as their forefathers in the period of Judges.
when they sinned, God allowed them to fall to other people and be under their boots.
When they repented, He sent an Earthly deliverer.
BUT, they kept repeating and needed deliverance over and over
Jesus came to suffer once for all time!
Jesus came to bring Eternal deliverance
Jesus’ “kingdom” comes via the cross, not a throne.
o Mark 15:31-32:
Likewise the chief priests also, mocking among themselves with the scribes, said, “He saved others; Himself He cannot save.
Let the Christ, the King of Israel, descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Even those who were crucified with Him reviled Him.
The priests’ sarcasm—“He saved others; Himself He cannot save”—unwittingly declares truth.
His refusal to save Himself saves us (Mark 10:45).
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
Jesus gave up His life, to pay the penalty for OUR sins.
He took our place on the cross so that we can enter HIS Kingdom.
· Illustration:
o A seed must die to grow (John 12:24)—Jesus’ death blooms into eternal life.
Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.
Application:
o The shadow of the cross isn’t defeat but triumph. We live victoriously by embracing sacrifice, trusting His greater plan.
Conclusion
Conclusion
1. Summary:
a. Jesus rode into Jerusalem as a humble king (Mark 11), faced the cross as a costly sacrifice (Mark 15), and won a paradoxical victory we’re invited to share.
2. Appeal:
a. The crowd shouted “Hosanna” but missed the cross. Will we follow Jesus fully—through humility and sacrifice—to His victory?
3. Closing Challenge:
a. This week, reflect: Where is Jesus asking you to surrender your expectations and trust His shadow over your life?
4. Final Thought:
a. The palms waved in hope, but the cross secured it. Let’s live under its shadow, awaiting the resurrection light.
