The Unexpected King

Mark 11:1-10

As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.' " They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, some people standing there asked, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, “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 heaven!"

Holy Week, and Palm Sunday in particular is jarring. It reminds us that the people who greet Jesus with shouts of "Hosanna" as he comes in triumph at the start of Holy Week, are the same people who cry out "Crucify Him" just a few days later. Their praises were based on their expectations, not on who Jesus truly was. How quickly things can change, and when Jesus did not meet their desires, they rejected Him.

When Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, this triumphal entry was the fulfillment of prophecy in Zechariah 9:9:

 "Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion!

  Shout, Daughter Jerusalem!

  See, your King comes to you,

  righteous and victorious,

  lowly and riding on a donkey,

  on a colt, the foal of a donkey."

People remembered Zechariah's prophecy - was this the promised Messiah? Was Jesus about to free them from their Roman oppressors? They longed for a deliverer, a conquering King, a warrior King who would overthrow Rome and lead them to freedom, and that is why the cloaks and branches were spread on the road before Him: an honour reserved for kings and royalty, and their jubliant shouts of "Hosanna" which means " Save us! "

For a moment these people believed that all their suffering and waiting was about to vanish. The oppression and injustice they had endured was about to be overthrown, and they would finally live out the rest of their lives in peace and freedom.

But Jesus had not come to bring them political freedom but spiritual freedom. What the people did not realise is that they needed a much deeper kind of salvation, there was a problem much worse than the oppression of the Romans, it was the problem of sin and death.

Jesus came to bring peace, salvation and eternal life. Jesus was not the King they wanted but He was the King they needed.

As Jesus approached Jerusalem, He would have seen the gleaming Temple Mount, the crowds of people flowing toward the gates, and the place of His future death. As He took in the view of the city, he wept for his people, who were so spiritually blind and unbelieving. Once again, we see the compassion of Jesus on frail humanity. Jesus was willing to experience indescribable pain and suffering for us all, even reaching out in love to those who will cruelly reject Him.

Jesus' kingdom does not come by force, but by surrender. He is the peaceful King, calling us to lay down our weapons of pride and control, to trust in His way and to follow Him in humility. Jesus is also the Divisive King - His truth demands a response. Some will embrace Him; others will reject Him.

Palm Sunday is a reminder for us to always trust in King Jesus. May we follow Him with hearts full of faith, knowing that no matter what, He is with us, guiding, providing and reigning forever.

The question remains, will you follow the King you need, even if He is not the one you expected?