The Promised King—Sovereign, Humble, and Misunderstood

The Triumphal Entry of Jesus

Text: Mark 11:1–11

Good morning, church.

Can everyone hear me okay? I just want to make sure you can hear me over the sound of my heart trying to beat out of my chest!

Today, we continue our study in the Gospel of Mark. As you turn to chapter 11, I just want to remind everyone who wrote “David Craig” on the elder nomination form a few months ago—y’all signed up for this! And if that wasn’t you, blame your neighbor.

In all seriousness, as I stand here to deliver my first sermon, I’m overwhelmed with humility and gratitude for the transforming power of Jesus Christ in my life. From my days as a worldly sinner, lost in my own skepticism, lost in my own ways and struggles, to now being here, I am reminded of the incredible grace that God extends to each of us.

I stand here not because I am worthy, but because God is gracious. Not because of my own merit, but because of His mercy. My prayer is that this message today reflects His love and reminds each of us of the grace available to all who believe.

Introduction

The title of todays sermon is ‘The Promised King—Sovereign, Humble, and Misunderstood.’ and as we study todays text together you will see not only this but many examples of Gods character.

Imagine if the President of the United States were coming to town. What would people do? They’d roll out the red carpet, clean up the streets, hang banners, gather in crowds, take pictures, and cheer.

Now picture this: 2,000 years ago, the King of Kings came to town. Not a politician. Not a general. Not a celebrity. The Son of God Himself.

And yet—He didn’t arrive with a motorcade. No armored vehicles. No marching bands. No red carpet. He came on a borrowed donkey, into a city that would soon reject Him—on His way, not to a throne, but to a cross.

That’s what we see in Mark 11:1–11, often called the Triumphal Entry. This moment begins what we call Passion Week—the final week before the cross. As I have been studying for this sermon I realized that the final 1/3 of Marks Gospel describes the final week of Jesus's Earthly life. In fact roughly one-third of all Gospel content describes the final week of Jesus’ earthly life — from His triumphal entry into Jerusalem through the crucifixion and resurrection.

In Johns Gospel, it’s even more concentrated: nearly half of the book focuses on that last week days and the hours leading to the cross.

This emphasis shows that the Passion Week—Jesus’ death and resurrection—as the central focus of His mission. Everything before it points toward the cross, and everything after it flows from the resurrection.

The beginning of Mark 11 is a familiar story—we see waving of palm branches, we hear songs of “Hosanna,” we see Jesus riding in as King. But this passage is far more than a Sunday School lesson or a familiar scripture for an Easter sermon. It’s a challenge to us: what kind of King do you want, and will you truly receive the King God has sent?

Here’s the big idea today: As we go throughout this morning Id like you to keep this in your mind. Jesus enters Jerusalem not as the King the people expected, but as the King we all desperately need—humble, sovereign, and worthy of true worship.

Let’s read the passage together:

Read the Word

Mark 11:1–11 (ESV)

English Standard Version Chapter 11

The Triumphal Entry

11 Now when they drew near to Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples 2 and said to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately as you enter it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it. 3 If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord has need of it and will send it back here immediately.’ ” 4 And they went away and found a colt tied at a door outside in the street, and they untied it. 5 And some of those standing there said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” 6 And they told them what Jesus had said, and they let them go. 7 And they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it, and he sat on it. 8 And many spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields. 9 And those who went before and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! 10 Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!”

11 And he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple. And when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.

Lets pray

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word that reveals Jesus, our humble King. As we study this passage, help us not only to see Him clearly, but to welcome Him fully—not just with our lips, but with our lives. Empty me of myself, Lord. Speak through Your Word today. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Point 1 – The King Who Rules Sovereignly (vv. 1–6)

Notice how Jesus sends His disciples to find the colt. He tells them exactly where to go, what they’ll see, what people will say, and how it will turn out. And everything happens exactly as He said.

If you or I tried this plan, we’d probably end up in jail for donkey theft! But this moment shows something profound: Jesus is in complete control of every detail.

He is not reacting to events—He is orchestrating them. He is not being swept away by history—He is writing it.

This is sovereignty on display. The same Jesus who knew where the colt was tied and how the owners would react also knows every detail of your life. Nothing surprises Him. Nothing catches Him off guard.

Application: Do you live like Jesus is sovereign? Or do you live like everything depends on you—your job, your health, your family, your future? I will tell you, I sure have! Ive been guilty of that pride and its a hard thing to let go of, sometimes, well most times, you have to come to the very end of yourself before you realize you are nothing and have nothing that God hasn't blessed you with.

When life feels chaotic, remember: the One who knew the colt’s location also knows your situation. You can trust Him with the details.

Point 2 – The King Who Comes Humbly (v. 7)

English Standard Version Chapter 11

7 And they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it, and he sat on it.

A colt—not a stallion, not a chariot horse, not a war horse. A borrowed donkey. An unbroken animal.

Imagine trying to climb onto an unbroken colt—a creature that’s never been ridden. Now, I know we have some cowboys in here but any ordinary rider would be bucked off in seconds. But when Jesus mounts it, there’s no struggle, no fear. The creature that should have panicked instead carries the Jesus with calm obedience.

Even creation recognizes its Creator. The unbroken colt is a living illustration of what happens when Jesus takes the reins—what was wild becomes willing; what was stubborn becomes steady; what was useless becomes useful for God’s glory. Wow! I just realized, I am the colt.

-What was wild becomes willing

-What was stubborn becomes steady-

-What was useless becomes useful for Gods glory.

But Im sure my beautiful wife could have already told you that!

In the ancient world, kings showed their power through procession and parade. Roman generals rode white warhorses, surrounded by soldiers and trumpets. But Jesus came humbly, fulfilling Zechariah 9:9: a prophesy from centuries years earlier.

English Standard Version Chapter 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.

When Old Testament prophecy is fulfilled, it reveals God’s character, we see:

God’s Sovereignty- that God is in complete control of history.

What Zechariah saw 500 years before Christ unfolds exactly as God intended.

No ruler, empire, or accident could prevent it — every detail, even the donkey, was planned.

we see God’s Faithfulness- that God keeps His promises.

God promised Israel a coming King, righteous and bringing salvation — and He delivered.

Generations waited, sometimes in exile, sometimes in silence, yet not one word of His promise failed.

we see God’s Omniscience (All-Knowing Nature)- God knows the future perfectly.

Zechariah couldn’t have orchestrated this — only an all-knowing God could reveal such precise details centuries ahead.

Every fulfilled prophecy testifies that God sees what we cannot.

we see God’s Love and Redemption- God’s loving plan to save His people.

The Triumphal Entry wasn’t just a sign of sovereignty — it was the beginning of the road to Calvary.

Prophecy fulfilled in Christ is proof that God’s love is not abstract — it’s active, planned, and personal.

Jesus didn’t come to overthrow Rome; He came to overcome sin. He didn’t come to make war with Pilate; He came to make peace with God on our behalf.

Illustration: When Caesar entered a city, it was a spectacle, streets were swept clean and lined with flowers. Trumpets blared, soldiers stood in perfect ranks, war horses pulled chariots. Incense filled the air. Citizens dressed in their finest filled the road, waving laurel branches and shouting  “Hail, Caesar!”

But when King Jesus entered Jerusalem, there was no army, no trumpets, no gold. He rode on a borrowed donkey, not a warhorse. His followers were peasants, fishermen, and children waving palm branches instead of laurel wreaths. They cried out “Hosanna!”—not to flatter, but to plead for salvation.

Caesar came in earthly splendor to claim the world by force. Jesus came in humble obedience to redeem it by love.

Application: Are you willing to follow a humble King? Or do you only follow Jesus when He makes you comfortable, successful, or admired? The people wanted a king to crush Rome. Jesus came as a King to crush sin. Which King do you want?

Point 3 – The King Who Deserves True Worship (vv. 8–10)

English Standard Version Chapter 11

8 And many spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields. 9 And those who went before and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! 10 Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!”

Hosanna is a Hebrew expression meaning “save us, now”, or “save us, we pray” and is taken from

The crowd was excited, they quoted Psalm 118

English Standard Version Psalm 118

25  Save us, we pray, O LORD!

O LORD, we pray, give us success!

Now this looks like a revival—praise, energy, passion. The people genuinely praised Jesus But their worship was shallow. The worship was real, just misguided. They wanted salvation from Rome, not salvation from sin. By Friday, Jesus is in Roman custody instead of liberating Jerusalem and many of the same voices that cried “Hosanna!” cried, “Crucify Him!”

That’s the danger of shallow worship: excitement without commitment, songs without surrender, words without obedience.

Illustration: Think of sports fans. They cheer, paint their faces and shout, until they lose their voices—but when the team starts losing, those same fans boo or just stop showing up. Years ago Angie and I went to a Kansas City Chiefs game. This was during a time when they weren't very good. The quarterback at the time had been struggling and they were losing the game. He was booed and cussed, it was horrible, even BC David was disgusted. At some point late in the game the quarterback was hurt and had to leave the game, the stadium erupted with cheers. That’s not loyalty; it’s convenience. The crowd in Jerusalem was just like that.

Application: Do we worship Jesus only when life is good? Do we sing on Sunday but live like He doesn’t exist on Monday? Maybe we only really talk to him when when we are in need. Jesus deserves more than palm branches—He deserves our hearts, our obedience, and our worship in spirit and truth. (John 4:24)

Point 4 (last point) – The King Who Inspects His People (v. 11)

English Standard Version Chapter 11

11 And he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple. And when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.

This verse feels quiet compared to what came before, almost anticlimactic. But it’s so powerful. Jesus enters the temple, looks around, and leaves. What’s He doing? If we look at the phrase “looked around at everything” in Greek we see that Jesus isn't just casually sightseeing. He is looking at everything and everyone. He’s inspecting the temple, His Father’s house. Soon, He’ll cleanse it. Today, He observes it.

Jesus still inspects His people today. He looks not only at what happens in this building but also at what happens in our hearts.

Illustration: When you buy a house, you hire an inspector. They look beneath the paint and polish, they look at the foundation, the plumbing, the wiring—they find the problems others can’t see. In the same way, Jesus inspects the foundation of our faith. You can look good on the outside, but He sees the cracks within.

Application: If Jesus inspected your heart today, what would He find? Would He see obedience, prayer, humility, and faith—or just activity and appearances?

His inspection is NOT to condemn but to invite repentance!! He gives us the chance to be made clean and bear fruit for His glory!!

In Conclusion

Let’s put it all together.

Jesus is the King who rules sovereignly—He is in control, of every detail.

He is the King who comes humbly—He rides a donkey, to go to the cross.

He is the King who deserves true worship—not shallow palm branches, but genuine faith.

And He is the King who inspects His people—looking for hearts that belong to Him.

Invitation

When Jesus rode into Jerusalem, the crowd had a choice. Some shouted “Hosanna,” but many later shouted “Crucify Him.” You have the same choice today.

Maybe you realize you’ve never truly received Jesus as your King. You’ve known about Him, sung about Him—but never bowed your heart to Him. Today, you can. He died for your sins, rose from the grave, and invites you to repent and believe.

Maybe you’re a believer, but your worship has grown shallow. You’ve given Jesus palm branches instead of your whole heart. Today, come and surrender.

Maybe God is leading you to join this church family—to plant your life here and serve the Lord together with us.

Jesus is sovereign. He is humble. He is worthy. And right now, He is searching your heart.

So I’ll ask you plainly: What will you do with King Jesus?

In just a moment, we’ll stand and sing. If you need to be saved, rededicate your life, or unite with this church, come. Don’t wait.

[Explain where Elders will be] As the Lord calls you come.

Be seated, release in prayer -Austin