Week 7: Palm Sunday-The Humbled Heart of GOD

Today we step into one of the most powerful moments in all of Scripture—the beginning of what we now call Holy Week. I truly believe participating in Holy Week is so important, because: You cannot fully celebrate the resurrection on Sunday if you don’t understand the road that led to it.

I was telling Dawn…it would almost be like me—who doesn’t truly care about football or the Lions— suddenly showing up on Super Bowl Sunday… and if they made it and won, I’m celebrating like I’ve been a loyal fan all along. Y’all would call me an imposter. Just celebrating the resurrection without all that came before it on a MUCH DEEPER LEVEL, is the same.

Because when you walk through the week , when you see the depth, the suffering, the love…the celebration on Sunday becomes so much greater. So please—I want to encourage you:

Maundy Thursday… Good Friday…show up if possible. Walk through the week with us.

Palm Sunday – The Beginning

Today, Palm Sunday starts Holy Week.

Let’s go to Matthew 21:1–11 instead of me reading the scripture we are going to watch a video of the scripture so you have a better idea /picture of it. (Please play the video for this Scripture)

Jesus is entering Jerusalem on Passover week where the city is packed, The atmosphere is intense. People are remembering and celebrating how God delivered them from Egypt…but now they’re living under Roman oppression. So there is a deep cry rising in the people: “God, do it again.” “Deliver us again.” “Set us free again.”

And here comes Jesus. The crowds begin to gather, laying down their cloaks, waving and cutting palm branches, and they begin shouting:

“Hosanna!” That word—Hosanna—means: “Save us now!”

This wasn’t just praise. This was a demand for deliverance. Palm branches symbolize victory and freedom - in other words, they were saying: “This is our King.” “He’s going to take over.” “He’s going to fix everything.” “He’s going to overthrow Rome.”

But instead of riding in on a war horse…He rode in on a donkey. A symbol of peace and humility. And THIS is where the humble heart of our Father is on full display.

Could He have conquered and overthrown Rome? Absolutely. He had… He has… and He always will have the power to do whatever He wants. But that was not His plan. He came riding in on a donkey—symbolizing peace. Completely opposite of the kings they had seen before. Not displaying power…but humility. and peace.

He did not come to wage war against Rome, He came to bring peace between God and His people. and right there, in that moment, we see something: The crowd had an expectation…but Jesus had a mission. His mission was not to be a King who takes a throne, but a Savior who takes a cross.

And THESE are important things for us to note—because we are called to be image bearers of Christ and it shows His heart.

Unmet Expectations – From Hosanna to Crucify

Now we move forward. When Jesus didn’t meet their expectations…The same voices shouting:

“Hosanna! Save us!” Just days later would be shouting: “Crucify Him!” What changed? Jesus didn’t. it was just their expectations weren’t met.

He didn’t overthrow Rome- He didn’t fix everything instantly- He didn’t operate the way they thought He should- and when Jesus didn’t do what they wanted… they rejected Him.

Let me say something that may hit close to home:

We are not that different. We celebrate Jesus…until He doesn’t do what we want. We praise Him when things are going well. We trust Him when it makes sense. But what about when it doesn’t? What about when:

the prayer isn’t answered the way you hoped the situation doesn’t change the breakthrough doesn’t come the healing doesn’t happen yet

You don’t get the job you think you deserve

The house you want

your still waiting for that spouse or child you long for

Do we still trust Him as King?

The Part We Cannot Miss – Jesus Wept

I don’t want to miss this about Palm Sunday—

Because while all of this celebration is happening…While people are shouting…While palm branches are waving…Jesus is not celebrating the way they are. Lets imagine the scene- reading

Luke 19:36–42 NIV 36 As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road.

37 When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:

38 “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!”

40 “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”

41 As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it 

42 and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes.

As He comes closer to Jerusalem…He begins to weep. He wept. In the middle of praise…In the middle of celebration…In the middle of what looked like victory…

Jesus was grieving. Why? Because He knew. He knew what was coming. He knew their hearts. He knew that the same people shouting “Hosanna”… would soon be shouting “Crucify Him.” He knew they didn’t truly understand Him. He knew they wanted a Savior…but not the kind of Savior He came to be. And this is what is so powerful… Jesus didn’t stop. He didn’t turn around. He didn’t say, “They don’t get it, I’m done.” He didn’t withdraw His love. He kept going toward the cross, knowing the suffering that was coming, that He would have to endure. That…is the humble heart of God. He sees our hearts fully…and still chooses us. Still loves us. Still goes to the cross to pay our penalty.

And that’s why Holy Week matters. Because when we realize, He knew… and still went…It changes everything.

The Rest of Holy Week

Palm Sunday is not the full story—It is the beginning of the most important week in history.

Monday – The Cleansing

Jesus walks into the temple and flips tables. “My house will be called a house of prayer.”

Because religion had become: performance… routine… empty… profit-driven. And Jesus confronts it.

Tuesday – Teaching & Tension

Jesus teaches boldly. Truth is spoken…but resisted. And behind the scenes— plans are being made to kill Him.

Thursday – The Last Supper (Maundy Thursday)

“Maundy” means command.

John 13:34 So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.

Jesus breaks bread: “This is My body.” He lifts the cup: “This is My blood.” He also washes his disciples feet. The King becomes a servant. Even to the one who would betray Him. We remember this…because we are called to live this. A life of humility, forgiveness, love, and surrender. We are to be image bearers.

Good Friday – The Cross

This is the day that hits the hardest.

He’s betrayed, Arrested, Beaten, Mocked. A crown of thorns pressed into His head. And Jesus is nailed to a cross.

Why must we remember? Because the King of Kings paid a price for our lives—and it should change how we live. And in that moment… it looks like everything is lost. But this was not weakness. This was the plan. Because God does not save through domination…He saves through surrender.

Saturday – Silence

Jesus is in the tomb. Heaven is quiet. Hope feels gone. And many of us know this place, the in-between. Where you don’t see God moving…but He is. (it’s like in that song we sing, even if we don’t see it, even if we don’t feel it. He’s working for our good)

Sunday – Resurrection (SPOILER ALERT)

The stone is rolled away. The grave is empty. Jesus is alive. And that is why we celebrate!

Invite your friends. Invite your neighbors. Invite your coworkers. Because our God has risen and defeated death!

Why This Week Matters

If you don’t understand this week…you won’t fully understand Easter.

Because: Palm Sunday shows His humility

The temple shows His holiness

The table shows His love

The cross shows His sacrifice

The resurrection shows His power

Closing – Transition to Worship

(Worship team, you can come forward)

So here’s the question today: Do I trust Jesus as King…even when He doesn’t do what I expect?

Do I follow Him…or do I just want Him to follow me? Because the crowd wanted a Savior…but only on their terms. And we have to be careful not to do the same. We are all called to:

Not just wave the palm…but carry the cross. Don’t just celebrate the entrance…walk with Him through the week. Because when we do—the cross hits different…the sacrifice feels heavier…and the resurrection becomes everything.

They shouted: “Hosanna… save us now…” …but they didn’t understand how He would do it.

Today…we do. It wasn’t through power…It wasn’t through force…It was through a cross… a grave… and a risen Savior.

So as we sing this next song, we’re not just singing words, we’re responding to the whole story. HE CALLS FOR A RESPONSE .

From the entrance…to the cross…to the empty tomb…Oh praise the Name of the Lord our God…

Let’s stand and worship Him together.