Imagine the excitement of a championship parade, with the streets packed with people, anticipation building, and the crowd shouting in unison, celebrating victory. Now, picture Jerusalem on that first Palm Sunday. People lined the streets, waving palm branches and crying out, “Hosanna!” They longed for deliverance, expecting Jesus to overthrow Roman rule and establish His kingdom. But He was not the king they expected. He was the King they needed.
Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem was a turning point in His earthly ministry. It fulfilled prophecy, revealed His true identity, and demanded a response. Some celebrated Him, some misunderstood Him, and others outright rejected Him. Today, we face the same decision: Will we recognize Jesus as our King and place our hope in Him?
Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem was no accident. It was a divine appointment foretold centuries earlier. Zechariah 9:9 prophesied, “See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey.” A conquering king would enter on a war horse, but Jesus came on a donkey, symbolizing humility and peace. This moment declared that God keeps His promises. Just as He faithfully sent the Messiah, He remains faithful to all His promises today. C.S. Lewis once said, “The great thing to remember is that though our feelings come and go, God’s love for us does not.” Regardless of our circumstances, we can trust Him completely.
As Jesus rode through the city, the people laid their cloaks before Him, shouting, “Hosanna!” which means “Save us now!” Their words revealed their desperation, but their expectations were misplaced. They sought political freedom, but Jesus offered something greater. He offered eternal salvation. He came not to conquer Rome, but to conquer sin and death. The apostle Paul reminds us in Romans 15:13, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing.” Like a lighthouse guiding ships through a storm, Jesus is our unwavering source of hope.
Yet, not everyone embraced Him. The city was “stirred up” by His arrival, but many failed to recognize Him as Lord. Some of the same people who cheered “Hosanna” would, just days later, cry out, “Crucify Him!” Why? Because Jesus did not fit their expectations. They wanted immediate relief from their earthly troubles, but He offered something far more profound: deliverance from sin.
Following Jesus is not about convenience. It requires surrender. Philippians 2:10-11 declares that one day, “Every knee will bow, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.” The question is not if we will acknowledge Him as King, but when. Will we bow before Him now, in faith and surrender, or later, when it is too late?
So, how will you respond? We are called to worship Jesus fully, not just on Palm Sunday, but every day. We are called to follow Him obediently, aligning our lives with His will. And we are called to share His hope boldly, proclaiming to the world that Jesus is King.
Imagine yourself standing at the gates of Jerusalem on that first Palm Sunday. The crowd cheers. You wave your palm branch. You shout praises. But when Jesus calls you beyond celebration into surrender, what will you do? Jesus still rides into hearts today, asking, “Who do you say I am?” The gates are open. The King has come. The choice is yours. As Jim Elliot said, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” Will you rise up in hope and surrender to Jesus today? Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone)!