If you were to somehow be transported and dropped into the crowd on that Palm Sunday, where would you fit in? There were many sub-groups within the crowd that day. There were Pharisees along the parade route. Would you find company among Jesus’ enemies? Are you skeptical of the claims that Jesus makes? Would you prefer not to have to listen to or deal with this Jesus at all?
Would you find kindred spirits among those who hoped that Jesus would guarantee worldly prosperity? Are you looking for Jesus to come through with a miracle that’s going to improve your circumstances? If he doesn’t do what you ask, are you going to walk away? Jesus did not come into the world to give us whatever we want—yet many hold Him to this standard, and reject him when he doesn’t deliver.
Or would you find a place among the true believers—ready and willing to follow Jesus wherever he might lead? Are you sure about that? Even if that means following Jesus into a suffering like His? Even if it meant that your life was on the line? Many people want the benefits of being a “true believer,” but are you willing to pay the personal and social cost for being a follower of Jesus?
No matter who you identify with in the Palm Sunday crowd, this strange parade gives you reason to re-evaluate the expectations you have of Jesus. Here’s what I mean:
Jesus did not ride that donkey into Jerusalem just to improve our lives but to save them. The King of Kings did not ride into Jerusalem to replace Roman rulers but to rescue the human race. Jesus did not endure the agony of the cross to change the political landscape, but to fundamentally change you. Instead of marching immediately to a throne, Jesus stumbled up the Hill of the Skull and was executed. This was not some accident—it was the plan. It had been all along. When that circle of thorns was pressed into Jesus’ head, the true King was crowned. It was the most humble and terrible coronation ever seen. God punished His Son, the Messiah, the Holy One of God, instead of punishing human beings for their sins—instead of punishing you for your sins, instead of punishing me for mine. By going to the cross, Jesus answered the request that was in the word Hosanna. Hosanna means save us now, and we are saved now—saved from torment; saved from separation from everything good; saved, in other words, from hell--because Jesus took our death sentence. The King took the punishment His people deserved. This was not the salvation that anyone was expecting. It’s not always what we are expecting or looking for from God. But what Jesus has done meets your deepest need. Whatever your expectations of Jesus were when you entered this building today—please hear me on this: Jesus has died your death and offers you a brand new life. You are forgiven of all your sin. You have his life in you starting this moment. The living King is with you in your pain, as well as your joy.
Think back for a minute, and see in your mind’s eye Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a borrowed donkey. Can you see him? Can you see that he’s been crying? He has. He’s been crying, but not for himself. He’s been crying over Jerusalem’s spiritual decay; crying over the children who would experience Jerusalem’s destruction forty years later. And still He comes, the crying King, to usher in a kingdom without borders, a kingdom built on mercy, a kingdom for which he will pay an unimaginable price. Can you see Him riding through the city gates? Are you waving your own palm branch of praise?
Jesus knew the misunderstandings and the false expectations about Him. He knew all about it, and he came riding into Jerusalem anyway. He knows our hearts and our minds; he knows that our worship is not always pure; he knows there are times when we want a god who acts like a divine vending machine. Jesus knew that the church that would bear his name would have pockets of misguided loyalties and wrong priorities. But Palm Sunday tells us he came anyway. He came anyway to make the sacrifice that would open heaven to misguided people. He came to rescue those whose expectations were off. He came to forgive those with misplaced priorities. And he came to receive worship. He came to receive worship, not so much because He needs it, but we need it. But what does that really mean, to worship Jesus? It means to see who He really is; to know why He really came; to truly enthrone Him as your King. It means to throw the cloak of your life down before Him; to open the gate of your heart to Him; and to welcome Him in, not as an accomplice; not as an advisor, but as King, as the Ruler who bought the rights to your life with His blood. Bless Him who comes in the name of the Lord; who is the Lord, now and forever.
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