A sermon based on Matthew 21:1-11 and John 12:12-43, Rev. J. Orlando Flahn
Today is Palm Sunday—the day we remember what all four Gospels describe as the Triumphal Entry of Jesus into the ancient city of Jerusalem. We commemorate and celebrate Palm Sunday because it marks a turning point in our faith, reminding us of Jesus’ purposeful journey to fulfill God’s promises.
Nearly 2,000 years ago, Jerusalem was filled with pilgrims—Jews and people from many nations—gathered to celebrate Passover, the most significant festival in Jewish tradition.
Many in the crowd had witnessed or heard about Jesus’ miraculous works. John’s Gospel notes, “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.” (John 12:9-11)
Earlier, Jesus had firmly resisted the crowd’s desire to make Him a political Messiah (see John 6:15). Yet at this Passover, many saw this as the perfect moment to proclaim Him their King and hero—the one they hoped would lead a revolt against their Roman oppressors.
Today’s Gospel reading describes how, as Jesus and his disciples approached Jerusalem, He gave specific instructions to two of them: “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.” (Matthew 21:2–3)
Matthew explains, “This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: ‘Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’” (Matthew 21:4–5)
The disciples promptly obeyed, bringing the donkey and the colt and placing their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. This act set into motion a very large crowd, who began spreading their cloaks on the road, while others cut palm branches from the trees and laid them along the path. The waving of palm branches symbolized victory for their coming King. The crowd shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
The entire city was stirred, thrown into an atmosphere of joyous celebration. People began to ask, “Who is this?” and others replied, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
That’s the question: “Who is this?” It wasn’t that Jesus was unknown in Jerusalem or needed to be identified. Rather, people were asking, “Who is this man causing all this excitement?” Who is He, really? Is Jesus merely a popular, charismatic young rabbi from a small town? Is He a prophet?
My friend, that’s a question that deserves an answer. Are we simply spectators in the crowd, cheering at this event? Why do we celebrate with such joy? It’s easy to join the crowd and cheer Him on, but soon—by Thursday and Friday—this same man, whom we just celebrated, will be betrayed by one He loved, abandoned by those He called friends, unfairly arrested by the religious authorities, and illegally tried in the night. By midday on Friday, He will be sentenced and executed between two criminals, then buried in a borrowed grave. So again, “Who is this?”
Is He truly your King, or are you just going through the motions? Are you merely joining the crowds for a celebration? I hope Jesus is more than just a prophet to us.
Jesus is the Christ—God’s Anointed One, the long-awaited Messiah. He is the One the prophets yearned for, the One they foretold as Emmanuel—God with us.
Israel was yearning for both spiritual and political deliverance. Their cry, “Hosanna! Hosanna!”—which in Hebrew means, “Please save!” or “Save now!” (Psalm 118:25-26)—revealed their deepest longing for a deliverer from Roman oppression. Many viewed this moment as a political rally, missing its deeper significance. Though they ascribed to Him the Messianic title, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”—literally, “the Coming One,” the King of Israel—they failed to realize that the One they cheered would soon lay down His life for them.
What is the significance of all of this? Why did Jesus choose to enter Jerusalem in this way? What is God unfolding here before us about His redemption plan for the world?
Palm Sunday is much more than a time for celebration—it holds deep historical and theological significance for several reasons:
First, Palm Sunday fulfills prophecy. About eight hundred years before this event, the prophet Zechariah proclaimed, “See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey” (Zechariah 9:9). This means Jesus alone bears the divine approval as the long-awaited Messiah—the King of Israel and the only Savior of the world….He stands alone as God’s Redeemer of mankind!
Application: Without criticizing other religions, it’s important to understand that the Christian and Islamic views of God are fundamentally different. Saying they are the same reflects a misunderstanding of both the Bible and Islam.
The Apostle Peter declares, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12 NIV)
Not only does this event fulfill direct prophecy about Jesus, but it also serves as God’s public declaration—His open introduction of the Messiah to the world.
Do you recall that whenever Jesus performed a miracle, He often instructed people, “Don’t tell anyone about this”? This is known as the “Messianic Secret.” Jesus wanted to ensure people followed Him for who He truly was—not just for His miracles or what they could receive from Him.
But today, as Jesus approaches the week of His crucifixion in Jerusalem, the secrecy is gone—His hour has come. Jesus now allows people to openly declare who He is; it is no longer a secret. He is the King the world has been waiting for. The city was packed, and Jesus was received with celebration and excitement. Ride on, King Jesus! Come among your people and take your place!
There’s something else God wants us to notice this Palm Sunday: In biblical tradition, when a king returned from battle riding a horse or white stallion, it symbolized war, political conquest, and victory in battle.
But if a king rode on a donkey, it symbolized peace. A donkey represented humility and peace….a stark contrast to the war horse….representing political conquest.
So, when Jesus entered Jerusalem—and as He comes riding on a donkey among us today—He comes not as a conquering earthly warrior but as the Prince of Peace. God the Father is revealing the true nature of His Messiah’s mission: not to conquer by force, but to be a humble, peaceful Savior who fulfills prophecy and ushers in a new kind of kingdom. Jesus brings salvation through peace, humility, and self-sacrifice. As He says, “For the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matt 20:28 NIV)
May we recognize Him as the true Messiah, whose kingdom is unlike any earthly kingdom. God the Father’s purpose was to make public the claim that Jesus is the Messiah and King of Israel. Ride on, King Jesus!
By entering Jerusalem in this way, God set in motion the pivotal events that would accomplish His eternal plan for the redemption of humanity.
Through Palm Sunday, God initiates the process leading to Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection—offering forgiveness and hope to all who believe.
Israel’s real enemy was not Rome, but sin—and humanity’s greatest problem remains the same today: sin.
True freedom from the bondage of sin is only possible through the blood of this King who comes riding on a gentle donkey.
By Friday, when Jesus refused to meet their expectations, the crowd’s hosannas would quickly turn to cries of “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” (Luke 23:20-21).
He would become the true Passover Lamb, who takes away the sins of the world. And on Sunday morning, we will rejoice: “HE IS RISEN!…… HE IS RISEN INDEED, HALLELUJAH!”—because death could not hold Him in the grave!
Through Palm Sunday, God initiates the process leading to Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection—which would offer forgiveness and hope to all who believe….
You see, Israel’s real enemy was not Rome, but sin….and the biggest problem of mankind is the same today: sin….
And we have no way out to true freedom from the shackles of sins…except through the blood of this King who comes riding on a gentle donkey….
And by this Friday, when Jesus refused to meet their expectations, their hosannas would quickly turn to cries of “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” (Luke 23:20-21).
He will be offered as the true Passover Lamb, who takes away the sins of the world…..And then, on Sunday morning, we will hear, “HE IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN INDEED, HALLELUJAH!” Because death cannot hold Him in the grave!
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