INTRODUCTION
(Walk slowly onto the platform with a thoughtful look. Pause.)
If you knew your death was only days away, how would you spend your final week? Would you be hiding? Crying? Maybe you would be trying to bargain with God?
Not Jesus… He rode into Jerusalem…
And He didn’t ride in all high and mighty like a military general with a chariot and an army… He rode in on a borrowed donkey, surrounded by broken people shouting “Hosanna!” and waving palm leaves… and they didn’t even know what kind of king He really was.
This wasn’t a power play… This was the King of kings showing the world that true authority looks like humility.
Jesus, the King Who Commands with Purpose
“Go into the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden…” (v. 2)
Jesus is always intentional with His actions, nothing He does is random… This whole moment was prophesied hundreds of years before 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…”
Jesus knew what He was doing, and He involved His disciples in the process.
He sends two of them ahead to untie a colt. Think about it they’re about to steal a donkey … at least, it looks like that’s what’s going on to everyone else! But Jesus tells them exactly what to say. “The Lord needs it.”
When I was called into the ministry, I didn’t feel qualified ... Truth is I still don’t… I said Lord “I’ve never done anything like this before… I don’t think I can.” “God said to me “That’s ok that’s the kind of person Jesus chooses to spread the gospel.”
I was a lot like that donkey… never been ridden, never been used. But Jesus had a plan for me.
Jesus gives instructions that don’t always make sense until after we obey. You may not understand the “why” yet, but are you willing to go where He sends you? Are you willing to serve where He calls you?
Sometimes obedience feels awkward…but it’s always part of something bigger.
Jesus, the King Who Comes in Peace (vv. 7–10)
“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…”
This is Jesus’ triumphal entry… but it doesn’t look very triumphant. No war horse… No guards. No political banners... Just a humble man on a borrowed colt.
In Jesus’ day, if a king came in peace, he rode a donkey. If he came to conquer, he rode a horse.
Jesus is making a statement: “I didn’t come to crush Rome … I came to conquer sin.”
The people were shouting “Hosanna!” … which means “Save us now!”
But they didn’t want a King on a donkey, they wanted a military king… not a Messiah hanging on a cross.
It’s like when people vote for a leader and then turn on him because he doesn’t fix what they wanted fixed. They wanted jobs and prosperity, he brings integrity and sacrifice.
That’s what happened in Jerusalem that day… Jesus didn’t fit their picture of a king… but He was the King they truly needed.
What kind of King are you following?
Are you following a King who meets your expectations, or a King who transforms your heart?
Do you only worship Him when He’s doing what you want… or are you laying your cloak down even when the road gets rocky?
The King Who Surveys in Silence (v. 11)
“Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple courts. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, He went out to Bethany with the Twelve.”
This verse is so easy to skip. But there’s power in it. Jesus doesn’t rush in, throwing tables, and causing a scene … yet... That comes tomorrow.
First thing He does … He walks in and He looks around taking it all in.
He sees the temple and the hearts behind it... He sees a system that’s broken. He sees the religion that’s lost its way. And He sees the people who are going through the motions but missing the point. Jesus sees the need and He doesn’t run… He waits… He prepares.
Illustration: A good firefighter doesn’t just rush into a burning house blindly… he scans at least three sides of the structure… looking for windows, doors and hazards, and he listens to the sounds, he observes the smoke what color is it is it banking down? Is it thick and heavy? He thinks, because the goal isn’t to make noise…it’s to make a difference.
Jesus isn’t about performance… He’s about purpose, He’s about making a difference… In your life, in my life, in everyone’s life.
Jesus is still surveying hearts today. Yours, Mine… He’s looking around at everything…Not to condemn, but to redeem.
He sees our cluttered temples… He sees our distracted worship. He hears our “Hosannas” that turn to “Crucify Him” when things don’t go our way.
And still… He chooses to serve, To save, and to love.
CONCLUSION:
The donkey in this story is nameless but will be forever remembered because it carried Jesus.
You don’t have to be impressive… Just willing.
Jesus is the King…
…who commands with purpose,
…who comes in peace,
…who surveys with patience,
…and still chooses to serve.
In a world that worships power, Jesus modeled surrender.
In a world that demands recognition, Jesus picked up a towel and washed feet.
In a world that crowns kings with gold, Jesus wore thorns.
Will you let this King lead your life? Not just on Sundays… but every day?
Or will you be like the crowd? Shouting praise when it's easy, and walking away when it's not?
Or will you be like that donkey? Lowly, simple, yet used by God to carry His presence?
