The Triumphal Entry

A Skewed perspective

John 12:12–22 ESV

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.” 20 Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. 21 So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus.

Background

(Waving palm branches and shouting “Hosanna!” wasn’t something new when Jesus entered Jerusalem. That tradition actually started about 200 years earlier during a time of intense persecution. A cruel Syrian king named Antiochus Epiphanes did terrible things to the Jewish people. He even slaughtered a pig in the temple—something that deeply dishonored God—and forced the priests to drink its blood. The Jews were crushed under his rule.

But then came a man named Judas Maccabee. His nickname meant “The Hammer.” He and his brothers started a rebellion against the Syrian army. After nearly nine years, they won and took back Jerusalem. When they did, the people celebrated by waving palm branches. From then on, the palm branch became a symbol of victory and freedom from oppression—even appearing on Jewish coins.

Fast forward 200 years to Jesus. The Jewish people were once again under the control of a foreign power—this time, the Romans. So when Jesus rode into Jerusalem and the people waved palm branches and cried out “Hosanna!” (which means “save us”), they weren’t just welcoming Him—they were hoping He would be like Judas Maccabee and lead a political revolt.

But Jesus had a different plan. He came not to conquer the Romans, but to conquer sin and death. When the crowd realized He wasn’t going to fight their political battles, their cries changed from “Hosanna!” to “Crucify Him!”

That same struggle still happens today. Sometimes we want Jesus to fix our problems the way we want—by changing our leaders, our nation, or our circumstances. But Jesus calls us not to political power, but to take up our cross and follow Him. But real discipleship means following Him to the Cross—not just cheering in the crowd.)

Lets unpack how the response of the people was flawed and how it relates to our natural response to situations and trials in our lives.

Praise

The people shouted, “Hosanna!” meaning “Save us now!”

The response was centered around their desire to be saved from what was going on in their lives physically not spiritually.

They saw Jesus as a deliverer, much like a past revolutionary hero.

Again comparing Jesus to another man, hoping to gain the same superficial freedom they gained before.

Palm branches symbolized victory and freedom, a tradition going back 200 years.

Perception

The Jews were under Roman rule and hoped for political rescue.

They expected Jesus to bring comfort, change, and control over their enemies.

When He didn’t meet their expectations, their hearts turned.

When what we “want” from God does not go the way we wanted or expected, how quick are we to turn and forget all He has done for us.

We get stuck in our circumstances and loose perspective on what God is really trying to do with us.

Purpose

Jesus came not to conquer Rome, but to conquer sin.

His entrance on a donkey fulfilled prophecy (v.15), pointing to peace and humility, not power and war.

The New King James Version Chapter 12

15 “Fear not, daughter of Zion;

Behold, your King is coming,

Sitting on a donkey’s colt.”

His mission was spiritual transformation, not situational improvement.

Let us frame our relationship with Christ around this truth.

Life can be hard, frustrating and difficult.

When we truly trust Christ, we stop looking for Him to change what is around us and start looking to how He can change us.

This is where spiritual maturity starts, letting Christ change you rather than you expecting your surroundings to change.

This trickles down into all different aspects of our lives.

From jobs, friends, relationships, when our perspective shifts to desiring inward change, we can be used to a much greater extent.

Praise that is Rooted in Truth

Are we praising Jesus for who He is, or just what He can do for us?

Do we celebrate Him as Savior, or just as a solution to our temporary problems?

Perception that Needs Correction

Do we want Jesus to fix our life on our terms?

Do we lose heart when He doesn’t change our situation the way we expect?

Purpose that Brings Peace

True peace comes not from a comfortable life, but a Christ-centered life.

When we embrace our calling—to glorify God and grow in Him—we experience joy, even in difficulty.

Living for what He wants to do in us, or what we want Him to do around us?