1 Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.” 4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying, 5 “Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’” 6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. 8 Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” 10 And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” 11 And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.” —Matthew 21:1-11
41 And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, 42 saying, “Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. 43 For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a barricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side 44 and tear you down to the ground, you and your children within you. And they will not leave one stone upon another in you, because you did not know the time of your visitation.” —Luke 19:41-44

Introduction: Palm Sunday marks the day Jesus entered Jerusalem - not with military might, but with humility, fulfilling prophecy and revealing His true mission. Yet even in celebration, Jesus weeps. Why? Because while the people shouted praise, they missed the point. The triumphal entry is not just about a moment of praise - it’s a moment of decision. Will you recognize the King?

Big Idea:

1. Recognize the King (Matthew 21:1-7)

• a. Jesus deliberately fulfills the prophecy not on a war horse, but a symbol of peace and Davidic kingship. (v.1-4)
• b. “Behold, your King is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey…(v.5, Zech 9:9) The donkey symbolized peace, not war.
• c. The word πραΰς (praus) in v.5, meaning “gentle” or “meek,” speaks of controlled strength. Jesus is the King, but not the kind they expect. He’s not riding in to take power by force but to lay down His life.

The King of kings rides in not to

• d. Do you recognize Jesus for who He truly is-not just a helper or a teacher, but the King who calls for your full allegiance?
  

2. Receive His Peace (Matt 21:8-11; Luke 19:41-44)

• a. Heavenly peace before earthly peace. (v.42)
• b. Hosanna=Save now! The Israelites expected national deliverance, not spiritual redemption. They want political rescue, not personal repentance. Jesus came to bring peace between God and man, but the crowds wanted relief from Rome.

Like the Jews, we want rescue on

• c. He wept for those who reject Him (Isaiah 53:3-4)
  
  1. ”He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.”
• d. He wept for those who would suffer (Luke 21:20-24)
  
  1. In 70 AD, the Romans laid siege to Jerusalem and destroyed it, just as Jesus prophesied
  2. The Jews missed the way to peace (v.42-44b)
  3. Are you seeking peace with God or just peace from problems?

Jesus is the King we

3. Respond before it’s too late (Luke 19:42-44)

• a. Sin blinds us to the way to peace (v.42)
  
  1. Fear-Can I trust God?
  2. Pride-Who is in control?
  3. Power-How is victory achieved?
• b. They missed the time of their visitation (v.44)
  
  1. ”Visitation” (ἐπισκοπῆς, episkopēs) means more than just a drop-in—it refers to a divine appointment. The day of salvation had come, but the people were too blind to see it.

You can

• c. Jesus gentle arrival prepares us for His glorious return.

You will either meet Jesus as your

• d. How will you respond to King Jesus this Holy Week? Will you praise Him with your lips but deny Him with your life? Or will you recognize His tears as an invitation into peace and surrender?

Small Group Questions

1. What did God teach you through this passage and message? Share the work of God in your heart with the group.

2. What questions did this passage and sermon raise in your mind?

3. How might we be tempted today to create a version of Jesus that suits our preferences?

4. What spiritual practices help you experience the peace of Christ in your daily life?

5. How can recognizing Jesus as King change how you approach everyday decisions?

6. How can you prepare your heart not just for Easter, but for the return of the King?