Palm Sunday Reflections – Matthew 21:1–11
Palm Sunday is one of those beautiful, bittersweet days in the Christian calendar. It marks the beginning of Holy Week—the final days of Jesus’ ministry leading up to the cross. And if we’re being honest? It’s kind of a strange parade.
There are no floats. No marching bands. Just people laying their coats in the road and shouting “Hosanna!” at a man on a borrowed donkey.
Not exactly Macy’s Thanksgiving Day material. But wow—it’s packed with meaning.
Let’s look at three ways Palm Sunday speaks directly into our lives today.
1. Palm Sunday Reveals the Kind of King Jesus Is
The crowd had expectations. Big ones. They thought Jesus was riding into Jerusalem to take charge—kick out the Romans, take the throne, and start the revolution.
They were ready for a King of power.
But Jesus came on a donkey. That wasn’t just a quirky choice—it was a prophetic one.
“See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey.”
— Zechariah 9:9
He came not with a sword, but with peace. Not to take a throne, but to head for a cross.
Sometimes we come to Jesus with our own expectations too. We want Him to fix our problems but leave our hearts untouched. We want Him to improve our circumstances—but not necessarily transform our character.
Palm Sunday challenges us to ask:
Am I following the real Jesus, or just the version I’ve created in my head?
2. Palm Sunday Calls Us to Worship with Understanding
“Hosanna!” the crowd cried. That means “Save us now!” They were loud. They were passionate.
But by Friday? Some of those same people were yelling, “Crucify Him!”
What changed?
Jesus didn’t meet their expectations.
It’s like being a sports fan. When the team is winning: “This is our year!” One bad game and suddenly it’s “Fire the coach, trade everyone, I’m out.”
Some of us treat faith the same way. When prayers are answered, we cheer. But when the healing doesn’t come, the job falls through, the door stays closed—our enthusiasm fades.
“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
— John 15:13
Palm Sunday asks:
Do I worship Jesus for who He really is, or just for what I want Him to do for me?
3. Palm Sunday Prepares Us for the Cross
This parade wasn’t the victory lap. It was the beginning of the hardest road Jesus would walk.
He knew what was coming. The betrayal, the trial, the cross. And still—He showed up. He entered the city anyway. Because love does that.
“The Son of Man must suffer many things… and be killed, and on the third day be raised to life.”
— Luke 9:22
Here’s the beautiful truth:
Even when we misunderstood Him.
Even when we shouted “Crucify Him.”
Even when we still miss the point…
Jesus rode into Jerusalem for us anyway.
What Kind of King Do You Want?
In 1979, Queen Elizabeth visited the U.S. with 4,000 pounds of luggage:
Outfits for every event, a mourning outfit just in case, 40 pints of plasma, her own attendants, press, and constant security.
That’s royalty as we expect it.
Now picture Jesus:
No luggage. No fanfare. No security detail. Just a borrowed donkey and the road ahead.
Palm Sunday is a bold, upside-down statement about Jesus’ kingship.
He comes not to impress, but to serve.
Not with power, but with peace.
Not to demand our praise, but to give us life.
So as we enter Holy Week, let’s lay down more than palm branches.
Let’s lay down our expectations, our assumptions, our distractions—and receive the King who comes to us still… gentle, humble, and full of grace.
Leave a Reply