Here Comes Our King
Mark 11:1-11
The Tragedy of Palm Sunday: Are You Following the Real Jesus?
Have you ever been excited about someone, only to discover they weren’t who you thought they were? Sometimes I just want to stop and preach on the truth that we’re singing about – that we’re free in Christ. Yet “people are so fickle and can follow a crowd.” This was never more evident than on the first Palm Sunday.
As I studied this passage in Mark 11:1-11, reading the parallel account in Matthew 21:1-11, I was struck by a sobering reality: “The tragedy of Palm Sunday is not that people rejected Jesus. It’s that they welcomed a version of him that did not exist.”
The Crowd’s Misguided Enthusiasm
In Matthew 21:1-11, we see Jesus sending two disciples to fetch a donkey and colt, fulfilling the prophecy from Zechariah 9:9. The crowds spread their cloaks and branches, shouting “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Matthew 21:9). The whole city was stirred up, asking “Who is this?”
But here’s what troubles me: many of these same people who welcomed Jesus would be shouting “Crucify him!” just three days later. Why? Because they had the wrong view of who Jesus was and what He came to do.
Wrong Reasons for Following Jesus
As I thought about people’s wrong view of Christ, I identified several dangerous patterns that still exist today:
Don’t follow Jesus only for what he can do for you. Remember how crowds followed Him because He could provide bread for their physical needs? That was their primary concern.
Don’t follow Jesus for the superficial excitement or emotional responses. “On this particular day, people were excited and the branches and the cloaks were coming out, and there was great excitement because they assumed that this one would deliver the nation, free the nation of something physical rather than spiritual.”
Don’t follow Jesus without embracing the cross. Jesus had a purpose and destiny that included suffering.
Don’t follow Jesus because you think he’ll meet your expectations. This is really what was happening on Palm Sunday – people projected their own agenda onto Jesus.
How Should We Respond to the Coming King?
Trust His Control
Looking at Mark 11:1-3, Jesus demonstrated perfect knowledge about the colt – where it would be, that it would be tied, that no one had ridden it. “Jesus demonstrated perfect knowledge. He knew it was going to be a colt. He knew it was going to be tied. He knew where it was going to be. The Lord is in control, and we can trust him.”
“There’s no surprises with your Savior. Trust him.” He controls circumstances, governs potential opposition, and “if he can control the details of a donkey in a village, if his disciples are willing to obey and he works his plan, he’s a God that can be trusted.”
Submit to His Authority
The disciples in Mark 11:4-7 “obeyed without hesitation. As different, as odd, as confusing. The Lord gave the instructions, they obeyed.” When questioned, “they didn’t rely on their own reasoning or they didn’t make up their own plan when they were asked. They just said what Jesus told them to say.”
“I wonder this morning, is there a step of faith, a step of obedience that the Lord would have you to simply obey, to do what he has called you to do?”
Recognize Your True Need
The crowds shouted “Hosanna” – which “literally means, save now.” But “their salvation wasn’t spiritually focused because they had a wrong or an improper view of the coming king.”
Here’s the truth: “Our greatest problem, our greatest issue is our relationship with God. Sin separates us from God.” As D.L. Moody said, “I have more problems with D.L. Moody than anyone else.” We need a Savior, and “that’s what Easter’s about. That’s what the Lord’s Day about. That’s what Jesus is all about.”
Putting It Into Practice
Jesus came the first time “to die” but will come again “to reign.” He came “on a little donkey” but will return “on a warrior horse.” He came “as a humble servant” but will return “as exalted king.”
The question isn’t whether Jesus is coming back – it’s whether you’re ready. “How do you stand in your relationship, your view of Jesus this morning? Are you looking? Are you waiting? Are you ready?”
Don’t make the same mistake as the Palm Sunday crowd. Make sure you’re following the real Jesus – the one who came to save you from sin, not just improve your circumstances.
Jesus’ Claims: A Verdict Is Required
Israel Confesses Her Unbelief
Man By The Pool
When You Meet Jesus
The Suffering Servant’s Success
When The Crowd Leaves
We hope you enjoyed the sermon and would love to see you in person. Plan your visit to Community Baptist Church in Spring Hill, Tennessee today!