“Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him. 

The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. 

They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the king of Israel!” 

Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written: “Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.” 

At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that these things had been done to him. 

Now the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word. Many people, because they had heard that he had performed this sign, went out to meet him. So the Pharisees said to one another, “See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!””

John 12:9-19

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Through his entry into Jerusalem, Jesus reveals that he is not just a humble king, but a different kind of king altogether. As the crowds chanted “Hosanna” while he rode into the city on a donkey, we see that true greatness often comes wrapped in unexpected packages. How often do we expect God to show up in a way that we want, instead of the way that we need? In this week's Sunday message in Manhattan, Pastor Ryan Schlachter calls us to reflect on whether we’re truly ready to follow Jesus, not just in moments of triumph, but through the valleys of challenge and change.

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Humble King

• Jesus’s arrival into Jerusalem on a donkey is a sign of his humility. The donkey was a work animal used for the dirty, common, and uninspiring work.
• The humility of Jesus is marked not by His rejection of rightful praise, but rather not being consumed by it.
  
  • Instead of relishing in the prayers of a fickle crowd, He focuses ahead to the Cross which He will eventually have to bear. 
• The humility of Jesus makes Him trustworthy. The difference between Jesus and earthly kings is that earthly kings demand glory from the people and Jesus casts His glory of for the sake of the people. 

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Needed King

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"Palm Sunday asks us to step into the crowd and ask: Are we cheering for the king we want, or the king who truly is?" 

Rowan Williams

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• The people wanted a political savior. They wanted the one who was going to come in guns blazing, torching the Romans and setting them free from the governmental oppression of Rome.
• But Jesus doesn’t come as the king people want, but the One they need.
• We are always willing to accept lower than what God desires.
• The palm branch wasn’t just a festive decoration but a symbol of Jewish national pride, military victory, and messianic hope. 
  
  • When Jews waved palm branches, they were often making a statement: We want deliverance, freedom, the promised Messiah
• The crowds are clamoring for Him. They shout His praises and sing in public - but some of these same voices will be the one shouting “crucify Him!” when He’s on trial.

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New Temple

• Jesus enters Jerusalem and the first place He goes is the Temple. This leads to the scene where Jesus overturns the tables at the temple, where they are robbing people of God’s presence.
• Jesus is cleansing the temple so that He can show what He wants the New Temple to ultimately be.
  
  • One of pure worship 
  • One that is filled with every tribe and every tongue 
  • Where people aren’t there for selfish gain, but for passionate worship in spirit and in truth, with zeal and reverence