Is Jesus The King You Need?
The King You Need - Palm Sunday Sermon
What does the Bible really say about Jesus' entry into Jerusalem?
This Palm Sunday sermon takes us back to first-century Jerusalem during Passover season, when the city swelled from its usual 500,000-600,000 residents to approximately 2.5-3 million pilgrims. Based on Matthew 21, the message explores Jesus' triumphal entry and the stark contrast between the king people wanted and the king they truly needed.
Jerusalem was buzzing with speculation about whether Jesus of Nazareth would appear during this holy festival. After three years of ministry filled with miracles and teaching throughout Israel, many hoped he might be the Messiah who would overthrow Roman oppression.
Key historical context:
Palm branches and laying down garments were traditional signs of welcoming royalty
Jesus deliberately chose to ride a donkey (symbolizing peace) rather than a horse (symbolizing war)
The crowds shouted "Hosanna" meaning "save now" - but they misunderstood what kind of salvation Jesus offered
Why do we often misunderstand what God is doing in our lives?
The sermon highlights how we naturally approach our relationship with God like children circling toys in a Christmas catalog - focused on what we want rather than what we need. Just as the crowds in Jerusalem had political liberation on their minds, we often have our own agenda for how God should work in our lives.
Our spiritual journey often follows this pattern:
We begin by recognizing our need for reconciliation with God
We quickly shift into "toddler mode" where our prayers focus on what we want
As we mature spiritually, we begin to understand God's priority is our transformation
The preacher notes, "We have a tendency to want a king who conquers when we need a king who redeems." This misalignment of expectations leads to disappointment, just as it did for many in Jerusalem when Jesus didn't overthrow Rome.
What was Jesus' first action in Jerusalem, and why does it matter?
After entering Jerusalem, Jesus immediately went to the temple and confronted the money changers and merchants who were exploiting pilgrims. This reveals something profound about His priorities:
Jesus was concerned about:
Removing barriers that prevented people from genuine worship
Challenging systems that exploited sincere worshipers
Making access to God available to all, including the blind and lame who were traditionally excluded
The religious leaders, meanwhile, were more disturbed by children singing praises to Jesus than by His miraculous healings. This illustrates how we often "want a king who endorses what we do religiously" when we "need a king who breaks barriers and brings holiness."
How will Jesus' return be different from His first coming?
The sermon concludes with a powerful contrast between Jesus' first arrival and His promised return. Revelation 19:11-16 describes Jesus returning not on a donkey of peace but on a white horse of judgment, bearing the title "King of Kings and Lord of Lords."
This future reality brings together the king we want (powerful, victorious, bringing justice) and the king we need (holy, righteous, establishing God's kingdom). This convergence gives urgency to our mission of helping others know Jesus before that day arrives.
What response does this message call for?
The sermon ends with an invitation to:
Consider whether you've ever truly surrendered your life to Jesus
Examine if your walk with Christ has been on your terms rather than His
Identify areas of life where you need to surrender control to God
Recognize the difference between your wants and your deeper spiritual needs
This Palm Sunday message reminds us that true discipleship means allowing Jesus to be the king He truly is, not just the king we want Him to be. As we approach Easter, we're invited to embrace both the humble servant who died for our sins and the conquering king who will one day return in glory.