Passover at the Temple

OPENING

“The average churchgoer is about three disappointments away from leaving the church.”

Not scandal. Not false doctrine. Just… disappointment.

Something didn’t meet expectations. Something didn’t feel right. Something didn’t deliver what they hoped.

And if we’re honest— that’s not just how people respond to church…

That’s how many people respond to Jesus.

We follow Him… as long as He meets expectations. We praise Him… as long as He aligns with our plans. We worship Him… as long as He produces the outcomes we want.

But what happens when He doesn’t?

In Mark 11, that’s exactly what we see.

A crowd gathers. They celebrate Jesus. They shout His name. They declare Him King.

And within days… those same voices will cry, “Crucify Him.”

Not because Jesus failed…

…but because He didn’t meet their expectations.

So here’s the question that presses on all of us this morning:

What do you do when Jesus shows up—but not in the way you expected?

BIG IDEA (CIT):

Jesus reveals Himself as the true King—fully in control, radically humble, and worthy of surrender—but He is often misunderstood by those who receive Him.

DIVISION STATEMENT:

This passage reveals four realities about Jesus the King that confront our expectations and call for true surrender.

I. THE KING ARRIVES WITH PURPOSE (1–3)

Mark 11:1–3 ESV

Now when they drew near to Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples 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. If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord has need of it and will send it back here immediately.’ ”

Explanation

Jesus is not reacting—He is orchestrating.

As He approaches Jerusalem, He sends two disciples ahead with very specific instructions:

“Go into the village… you will find a colt… untie it and bring it.”

And notice the precision:

He knows where the colt is

He knows no one has ridden it

He knows they will be questioned

He gives the exact answer to give

This is not guesswork. This is sovereignty.

Jesus is not caught in a moment— He is controlling the moment.

Greek Insight

When He says, “The Lord has need of it,” the word is κύριος (kyrios)—Lord, Master, Owner.

Not teacher. Not advisor. Owner. Authority.

He speaks as one who has the right to command.

Cross-Reference Support

This aligns with what Scripture consistently teaches:

— “Our God is in the heavens; He does all that He pleases.”Psalm 115:3 

— “My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all My purpose.”Isaiah 46:9–10 

— Jesus says of His life: “No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of My own accord.”John 10:18 

Even the path to the cross… is not forced upon Him.

It is chosen by Him.

Theological Weight

This is the sovereignty of Christ.

Nothing in your life… nothing in this moment… nothing in His mission…

is outside His control.

Argumentation

We often live like Jesus is reacting to our lives.

Trying to fix things. Trying to catch up. Trying to adjust.

But Scripture presents Him as One who is always ahead… always in control… always purposeful.

Illustration

It would be like someone telling you:

“Go to that street, third house, there’s a car—take it. If they ask, say I need it.”

That only works if the one speaking actually owns it.

Jesus speaks like that—because He does.

Application

Believers: Where are you resisting His authority?

Delayed obedience is still disobedience.

Trust Him not only when you understand… but when you don’t.

Unbelievers: You are not dealing with a religious option—you are dealing with a King.

And every King demands a response.

Transition

So the King arrives with complete authority. Jesus comes on purpose. Jesus is not reacting—He is orchestrating.

But what He does next… doesn’t match what anyone expected.

II. THE KING REDEFINES POWER (Mark 11:4–7)

Mark 11:4–7 ESV

And they went away and found a colt tied at a door outside in the street, and they untied it. And some of those standing there said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” And they told them what Jesus had said, and they let them go. And they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it, and he sat on it.

Explanation

They bring the colt.

They lay garments on it.

Jesus sits down.

This is a royal moment—but not in the way they expected.

He doesn’t ride a war horse. He rides a colt.

This fulfills Zechariah 9:9:

“Behold, your king is coming… righteous and having salvation is He, humble and mounted on a donkey.”

In ancient culture:

A king on a horse = war, conquest

A king on a donkey = peace, humility

Jesus is making a statement:

“I am the King— but My kingdom is not what you think.”

Greek Insight

The humility of Christ is captured in the idea of ταπεινός (tapeinos)—lowliness, not weakness but willing restraint.

This is power under control.

Cross-Reference Support

— “Though He was in the form of God… He humbled Himself…”Philippians 2:6–8 

— “Though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor…”2 Corinthians 8:9 

— “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve…”Matthew 20:28 

Jesus does not lack power— He chooses humility.

Argumentation

The crowd expected:

A political revolution

A military leader

Immediate deliverance

But Jesus came for something deeper:

Deliverance from sin

Reconciliation with God

Eternal salvation

They wanted Rome defeated, but Jesus came to defeat sin.

Illustration

It’s like expecting a general in full armor to walk in and take over…

…but instead, He walks in quietly and unarmed.

Same authority. Different mission.

Application

Believers: Are you frustrated because Jesus isn’t working the way you want? What feels like disappointment is often a collision with God’s greater purpose

Unbelievers: You may reject Jesus not because He lacks power— but because He refuses to serve your agenda.

Transition

So the King arrives with purpose. He redefines power. Jesus comes humbly. The King’s strength is seen in His surrender.

Now the crowd responds—and what we see is both beautiful… and dangerous.

III. THE KING IS MISUNDERSTOOD (8–11)

Mark 11:8–11 ESV

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

Explanation

The crowd spreads cloaks. They wave branches.

They shout:

“Hosanna!” — “Save us now!”

They quote Psalm 118:

“Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”

This is worship.

But it is misguided worship.

The tragedy of the Triumphal Entry is not that they rejected Jesus at first…

It’s that they praised Him for the wrong reasons.

They weren’t worshiping Him for who He is— but for what they thought He would do.

Cross-Reference Support

— “You are seeking Me… because you ate your fill of the loaves.”John 6:26 

— “This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.”Isaiah 29:13 

— “They will accumulate teachers to suit their own passions.”2 Timothy 4:3 

This has always been the human condition:

We shape God into what we want. That is a form of idolatry

Expanded Argumentation

We find it easy to sing…

when we believe God is working for us.

But when His plan contradicts our comfort…

our praise begins to fade.

Or turn into frustration.

Or even resistance.

Illustration

The temple had become a marketplace.

People came not to give—but to get.

And today, we risk the same mindset:

“How was the kids’ ministry?” “How was the music?” “Did I get anything out of that?”

We’ve turned worship into evaluation.

Instead of asking:

“Did I give my life to God today?”

Theological Depth

This exposes:

Sinful self-centeredness

False worship

Spiritual blindness

You can be close to Jesus… and still completely miss Him.

Application

Examine your worship. Is it rooted in God’s worth—or your wants?

Don’t celebrate Jesus publicly and reject Him privately.

Transition

So the King arrives. He redefines power. He is misunderstood. Jesus is praised but not truly known. You can celebrate Jesus and still miss Him.

But that leads to the most important question:

What was He actually coming to do?

IV. THE KING REVEALS HIS PURPOSE (19–20)

Luke 22:19–20 ESV

And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.

Explanation

Just days later, Jesus sits with His disciples.

He takes bread. He takes the cup.

“This is My body… given for you.” “This is My blood… poured out for you.”

The King came… to die.

Cross-Reference Support

— “He was pierced for our transgressions…”Isaiah 53:5 

— “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”Romans 5:8 

— “He made Him to be sin who knew no sin…”2 Corinthians 5:21 

— “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree…”1 Peter 2:24 

Theological Depth

This is the gospel:

Substitutionary atonement

Justification by faith

Grace alone

He didn’t come to meet expectations—He came to meet our greatest need.

Argumentation

The crowd wanted a king to fix their circumstances.

God sent a Savior to fix their condition.

And those are not the same thing.

Illustration

It’s like asking a doctor for pain relief…and he insists on surgery.

You wanted comfort. He’s giving you healing.

Application

Believers: Anchor your faith in the finished work of Christ—not fluctuating circumstances.

Unbelievers: Jesus didn’t come just to make your life better—He came to make you right with God

CONCLUSION & CALL TO RESPONSE

They waved branches…but wouldn’t carry a cross.

They shouted “Hosanna”… but wouldn’t surrender.

They welcomed Him as Savior…but rejected Him as King.

And if we’re honest… we are not as different as we think.

Because we still face the same tension:

Do we want a Jesus who fits our life…or a King who rules our life?

And this is where the passage brings us to a decision.

Because the same King who entered Jerusalem in Mark 11… is the same King who, just days later, took bread and said:

“This is My body… given for you.”

And took the cup and said:

“This is My blood… poured out for you.”

He did not come to meet expectations. He came to give His life.

He did not come to take a throne yet—He came to take a cross.

And now… He invites us to respond.

Pastoral Transition to Communion

So this morning, we don’t just respond with words.

We respond with remembrance. We respond with reflection. We respond with surrender.

Communion is not just a ritual.

It is a declaration:

That Jesus is not just admired— He is received.

That His sacrifice is not just remembered— it is trusted.

That His lordship is not just acknowledged— it is embraced.

Instruction for Movement [worship team up]

In just a moment, we’re going to invite you to come forward to one of the stations and receive the bread and the cup.

As you come… don’t come casually.

Come thoughtfully. Come prayerfully. Come honestly before the Lord.

Scripture tells us in 1 Corinthians 11:28:

“Let a person examine himself, then… eat of the bread and drink of the cup.”

So as you move… ask yourself:

Am I surrendering to the real Jesus— or the version of Him I prefer?

Am I worshiping Him for who He is— or for what I want from Him?

[Gospel Clarity in the Moment]

If you are a believer in Jesus Christ— if your faith is in Him alone for salvation— this table is for you.

Not because you are perfect… but because He is.

Not because you’ve earned it… but because He has paid for it.

But if you are not trusting in Christ…

We would ask you not to take communion yet.

Instead, let this moment press on your heart.

Because the invitation is not first to the table— it is to the Savior.

You can surrender to Him today.

You can trust Him today.

Final Movement Toward Worship & Response

So as we begin to sing… You come.

You receive the bread. You receive the cup.

Return to your seat… and hold onto those elements.

And as the song continues… reflect on the King who came:

Not on a horse… but on a colt

Not to conquer Rome… but to conquer sin

Not to take a crown… but to be placed on a cross

Closing

And as you hold the bread and the cup…

remember:

The King has come.

The King has given His life.

And the only right response… is surrender.

(At this point, you release them to move during the song. After they return, you can then lead in the taking of the elements and dismissal.)

COMMUNION LEAD SCRIPT (AFTER SONG)

Alright… let’s take this together.

If you would, go ahead and take the bread.

Bread (Body of Christ)

Jesus said,

“This is My body… given for you.”

His body was not taken from Him. It was given.

Given to be beaten. Given to be mocked Given to bear the weight of our sin.

The King who entered Jerusalem… knew exactly what was coming.

And He didn’t turn away.

Isaiah 53 says:

“He was pierced for our transgressions… He was crushed for our iniquities…”

This is not just history. This is substitution.

He stood in your place.

So before we take this… just take a moment.

Thank Him. Worship Him. Surrender again to Him.

Now, as a declaration of your faith in Christ… Take the bread

Now take the cup.

Jesus said,

“This cup is the new covenant in My blood… poured out for many.”

His blood is what secured your forgiveness.

Ephesians 1:7 says:

“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses…”

That means:

Your sin is not managed. It is not minimized. It is not overlooked.

It is forgiven.

Paid in full.

Not because you were worthy… but because He was willing.

So as you hold the cup…

Remember what it cost. And remember what it secured.

Now, as a declaration of your faith in Christ…

Take and drink.

Final Close

The King has come.

The King has given His life.

And now… we don’t just remember Him.

We live under Him.

So as you leave today—

Don’t just walk out having observed something.

Walk out surrendered to Someone.

He is not just a King

He is your Savior.

Prayer

Study Questions:

What does the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem signify in the context of fulfilling prophecy?

Why is it significant that Jesus is both the sacrificial Lamb and the King in the context of the new covenant?

How can we prepare our hearts for Jesus' arrival in our lives as outlined in the sermon?

In what ways can acknowledging Jesus as King change your daily life?

What parallels can be drawn between the disciples’ preparation for the Last Supper and our own spiritual readiness?

What does the phrase 'Covenant Communion' mean, and how does it relate to Jesus' last supper?