Introduction
Are you willing to let Jesus meet you freshly this Holy Week, or will you settle for going through familiar religious motions? Palm Sunday calls me to slow down, sit with Jesus, and respond to Him in three ways: trusting His personal care, crowning Him as my King, and remembering I’m living inside God’s great love story that ends with the return of the King. Palm Sunday matters. For most of Jesus’ ministry, He avoided the limelight, often telling people to stay quiet about His miracles. But in Luke 19:28–40, He deliberately sets up what looks like a victory parade: securing a colt, riding into Jerusalem, receiving praise, and answering the Pharisees, “If these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”
If you’ve been around church for years, you may feel like you already know the story, donkey, palm branches, “Hosanna,” and the rest. I want to disciple you into a different posture this week: find a quiet place, sit with Jesus, and ask sincerely, “Lord, what do You want to speak to me this year?” He still speaks, fresh conviction, fresh comfort, fresh correction, and fresh hope.
Main Points
Are you willing to let Jesus meet you freshly this Holy Week, or will you settle for going through familiar religious motions? Palm Sunday calls me to slow down, sit with Jesus, and respond to Him in three ways: trusting His personal care, crowning Him as my King, and remembering I’m living inside God’s great love story that ends with the return of the King.
Palm Sunday matters. It’s recorded in all four Gospels, a rare sign that the Spirit wants the church to linger here. For most of Jesus’ ministry, He avoided the limelight, often telling people to stay quiet about His miracles. But in Luke 19:28–40, He deliberately sets up what looks like a victory parade: securing a colt, riding into Jerusalem, receiving praise, and answering the Pharisees, “If these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”
If you’ve been around church for years, you may feel like you already know the story, donkey, palm branches, “Hosanna,” and the rest. I want to disciple you into a different posture this week: find a quiet place, sit with Jesus, and ask sincerely, “Lord, what do You want to speak to me this year?” He still speaks, fresh conviction, fresh comfort, fresh correction, and fresh hope.
Jesus Cares About Every Detail
When I read Mark’s account, one small line stands out: Jesus instructs that the colt will be returned, “The Lord has need of it and will send it back here immediately” (Mark 11:1–3). That may seem minor, but it reveals something precious: even with the cross looming, even with betrayal and suffering ahead, Jesus does not overlook “small” righteousness or “small” responsibilities.
Think about how easy it is for us to forget details when big things are happening, important days, major stress, looming decisions. Yet Jesus remains attentive and intentional. That’s discipleship fuel right there: Jesus isn’t only focused on cosmic redemption (though He is); He also cares about the practical and personal details along the way.
This is why passages like Psalm 139 land with such weight: God knows when I sit and when I rise; He perceives my thoughts; He is familiar with all my ways; He knows my words before they’re spoken (Psalm 139:1–6). There is not one detail of your life that is irrelevant to Him.
So let me gently challenge you: are you carrying worries you’ve labeled “too small to bother God”? The issue is rarely that Jesus doesn’t care; it’s often that I hesitate to invite Him in. He stands at the door and knocks (Revelation 3:20). Open the door, about the big decisions and the “little” burdens. He is not here to shame you; He is here to help you.
Worship That Cannot Be Silenced
In Luke’s account, the disciples erupt with praise: “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” (Luke 19:38). The Pharisees demand that Jesus shut it down: “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” But Jesus answers, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out” (Luke 19:39–40).
Palm Sunday teaches me that worship isn’t a performative religious add-on; it’s the fitting response to who Jesus is and what He has done. The crowd praises Him “for all the mighty works that they had seen” (Luke 19:37). Real disciples remember God’s works and let remembrance turn into rejoicing.
Here’s the practical application: I must not treat Holy Week like a tradition to consume but a Savior to adore. If I’m spiritually dull, I don’t need gimmicks, I need to sit with Jesus, remember His mighty works, and let my praise become honest again.
You Need Jesus As King
John emphasizes the kingship theme directly: “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” (John 12:13). The scene fulfills Scripture: “Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt!” (John 12:15). This is not merely a teacher arriving; this is the King entering His city in humble glory.
But I want to push it into the heart: it’s not enough to acknowledge Jesus is King in theory. You and I need a King. We constantly crave better leadership, at work, at home, in government, in relationships, because we believe the right leader would solve our problems. Yet the deeper issue is often closer: my life under my own leadership.
So much stress and anxiety comes not merely from “bad leaders out there,” but from my insistence on managing everything myself, money, relationships, fears, plans, reputation, future. That’s why Proverbs 3:5–6 is not sentimental; it’s surgical: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart… in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
Let me speak to you as someone I love: don’t be too proud to admit that “my management” isn’t producing the life of peace and fruitfulness I want. Crown Jesus King over your finances. Crown Him King over your home. Crown Him King over your calendar, Sunday and Tuesday. Invite Him into the relationships where you rarely pray and where you’ve been running on your own wisdom.
The King Who Returns in Glory
Palm Sunday also carries a forward-looking echo. When I read the triumphal entry, it stirs a kind of déjà vu, because Scripture points to another Kingly arrival. Revelation 19 pictures the return of Jesus in blazing authority: heaven opens, a white horse appears, and the rider is called Faithful and True. He judges with righteousness; He bears the title “King of kings and Lord of lords” (Revelation 19:11–16).
The details differ, donkey in the Gospels, white horse in Revelation, but the point is united: the King comes, and the King will come again. Palm Sunday is a foreshadowing of the return of the King.
This gives us hope in dark times: history is not random; evil is not forever; Jesus is not absent. It also speaks of justice: every wrong that looks ignored will be addressed by perfect judgment. The return of Christ steadies the disciple’s heart and keeps us faithful when the world feels like it’s unraveling.
The Greatest Love Story of All Time
Right after the parade, Jesus goes to the temple, and He doesn’t remain “meek and mild.” He overturns tables and drives out what doesn’t belong there (as recorded across Matthew, Mark, and Luke). Yes, there is corruption and exploitation. But it’s bigger: the temple is about God’s desire to dwell with His people.
Genesis hints at that original sacred space: “They heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day” (Genesis 3:8). Eden wasn’t just landscaping; it was a place where heaven met earth, God with humanity. Sin shattered that fellowship, but the story of Scripture is God pursuing a renewed “Eden,” creating sacred space again, God with His people.
So when Jesus purifies the temple, He’s not merely correcting religious abuse; He’s acting out the passion of God’s heart: “I want My house back. I want My people near. I want communion restored.” Palm Sunday isn’t only pageantry; it’s the doorway into the week where Jesus will lay down His life to bring us home.
This is why I can say with confidence: we are living inside the greatest love story of all time. Holy Week isn’t a repetitive church calendar event. It’s the living God moving toward you in love, again.
Conclusion
Palm Sunday invites me to stop sleepwalking through familiar stories and to meet Jesus personally:
- He cares about every detail of my life, so I will open the door and invite Him in.
- He is the King I need, so I will surrender leadership of my whole life to Him.
- He is writing the greatest love story, so I will live with hope, worship, and readiness for His return.
This week, I want you to do one simple, life-giving thing: sit with Jesus and ask, “Lord, what do You want to say to me this year?” Then listen. Give Him space. Don’t just attend Easter, encounter the King.
Father, thank You for Your holy Scriptures, Your love letter to us. Please meet us in a fresh way this Holy Week. Give us ears to hear and hearts ready to receive everything You want to speak.
Jesus, thank You that You care about every detail of our lives. Forgive us for carrying burdens alone and for assuming some concerns are too small to bring to You. We open the door to You today, come in and help.
King Jesus, we confess that we need Your leadership. We renounce our pride and our self-management. We crown You Lord over our money, our relationships, our homes, our fears, our dreams, and our days, not only Sundays but every day.
And Father, anchor us in hope: You are writing the greatest love story, and the King is coming again. Make this week more than religious motion, make it living communion with You.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
Conclusion
Palm Sunday invites me to stop sleepwalking through familiar stories and to meet Jesus personally:
- He cares about every detail of my life, so I will open the door and invite Him in.
- He is the King I need, so I will surrender leadership of my whole life to Him.
- He is writing the greatest love story, so I will live with hope, worship, and readiness for His return.
This week, I want you to do one simple, life-giving thing: sit with Jesus and ask, “Lord, what do You want to say to me this year?” Then listen. Give Him space. Don’t just attend Easter, encounter the King.
Closing Prayer
Father, thank You for Your holy Scriptures, Your love letter to us. Please meet us in a fresh way this Holy Week. Give us ears to hear and hearts ready to receive everything You want to speak.
Jesus, thank You that You care about every detail of our lives. Forgive us for carrying burdens alone and for assuming some concerns are too small to bring to You. We open the door to You today, come in and help.
King Jesus, we confess that we need Your leadership. We renounce our pride and our self-management. We crown You Lord over our money, our relationships, our homes, our fears, our dreams, and our days, not only Sundays but every day.
And Father, anchor us in hope: You are writing the greatest love story, and the King is coming again. Make this week more than religious motion, make it living communion with You.
In Jesus’ name, amen.