Palm Sunday Faith

This is the manuscript of the sermon preached on Palm Sunday at Christ Church Los Angeles, on Sunday April 13, 2025

The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” (Matthew 21:9 NIV)

Imagine the scene on Palm Sunday. The air is thick with anticipation. A multitude has gathered outside the city gates of Jerusalem. They have heard the whispers, the stories, the miracles of this man, Jesus of Nazareth. They believe, with a fervent hope, that He is the Messiah, the one who will deliver them.

And then He comes. Not on a warhorse, not in regal splendor as they might have expected, but humbly riding on a donkey, a colt.This very image speaks volumes about the nature of His kingship – a kingship of peace, of gentleness, of service, not of earthly power and dominion.

The faith we see on Palm Sunday, in all its power, invites us to look at the complexities of our own faith journeys. This enthusiastic crowd, these same voices that cried "Hosanna!" would, just days later, be swayed by fear and manipulation to shout a different cry: "Crucify Him!"

Scripture

Mark 11:1-11 NIV [1] As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, [2] saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. [3] If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’ ” [4] They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, [5] some people standing there asked, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” [6] They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. [7] When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. [8] Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. [9] Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” [10] “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” [11] Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple courts. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve. 

Palm Sunday is a Christian holiday that falls on the Sunday before Easter. It commemorates the day Jesus Christ entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey, and was greeted by cheering crowds who waved palm branches and shouted "Hosanna!" Today we celebrate Jesus' public entrance into Jerusalem, recognizing him as the Messiah, just days before his crucifixion. It's a day of both celebration and solemn reflection as it marks the beginning of Jesus' final, fateful week.

Text:

Matthew 21:9 NIV [9] The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

Philippians 2:5 NIV In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

Today, on Palm Sunday, we begin Holy Week, a week filled with profound meaning, sacrifice, and ultimately, glorious resurrection. Holy Week begins with the triumphant entry we commemorate today on Palm Sunday.  

Imagine, with me, the scene on that Sunday. Jerusalem was packed with Jewish pilgrims who had come to celebrate the Passover, a major religious festival, commemorating the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt. The air is thick with anticipation. A big crowd has gathered outside the city gates of Jerusalem. They have heard the whispers, the stories, the miracles of this man, Jesus of Nazareth. They believe, with a fervent hope, that He is the Messiah, the one who will deliver them. 

The people were yearning for freedom from Roman rule. They might have hoped that Jesus, as the Messiah, would lead a rebellion against the Romans and establish an independent Jewish kingdom. The crowd may have interpreted Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem as the beginning of this liberation.

And then He comes, not riding the warhorse of a conquering hero. He doesn’t display the extravagance of earthly power.  What He does display is a powerful act of humility.  He’s not riding a warhorse, He’s not in regal splendor as they might have expected, but humbly riding on a donkey.This very image speaks volumes about the nature of His kingship – a kingship of peace, of gentleness, of service, not of earthly power and domination.

Here’s what the prophet Zechariah said nearly 550 years before this monumental day.

Zechariah 9:9 NIV Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

The moment Jesus was within sight of Jerusalem, the crowd couldn't contain their excitement any longer. The people, filled with a spontaneous outpouring of faith and adoration, spread their cloaks on the road before Him, creating a royal pathway. They're grabbing palm branches, like, 'We won!' and 'He's the king!' and they're just waving them all over the place, yelling their heads off with happiness.

Matthew describes it like this.

Matthew 21:8-11 NIV [8] A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. [9] The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” [10] When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” [11] The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.” 

They were yelling Hosanna which is a Hebrew word that means "Save us now!" or "Grant salvation!" In that moment, they were so hyped up, their faith was just bursting, and you could tell they were really believing and hoping. They saw in Jesus the fulfillment of their long-awaited dreams. They believed He was the one who would usher in a new era of freedom from Roman oppression and domination.

The faith we see on that first Palm Sunday, in all its power, invites us to look at the complexities of our own faith journeys.  Many in this enthusiastic crowd, many of these same voices that yelled "Hosanna!" would, just a few days later, be swayed by fear and manipulation to yell something else.  Instead of Hosanna they would be yelling "Crucify Him!"

This stark contrast forces us to examine our own faith. Is our faith a superficial enthusiasm, easily swayed by the winds of circumstance and popular opinion? Or is it a deep-rooted conviction, anchored in the unwavering truth of God's love and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ?

Palm Sunday faith is more than just waving palm branches and shouting praises. It is about recognizing Jesus for who He truly is – the Son of God, our Savior, the King who came not to conquer with might but to serve with humility and love. 

There was a time the mother of James and John approached Jesus with a request. Influenced by her sons' ambition, she asks that they be given the most prominent positions in Jesus's kingdom – one on his right and the other on his left. Of course this upset the other guys, because they all misunderstood Jesus' mission and the nature of his kingdom.  They still held expectations of earthly power and glory.

Here’s what Jesus said to them.

Matthew 20:24-28 NIV [24] When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers. [25] Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. [26] Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, [27] and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— [28] just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” 

Palm Sunday faith is about acknowledging Jesus’ authority in our lives, not just in moments of celebration, but in the everyday struggles and challenges we face.

Let’s look quickly at;

Philippians 2:5-11 NIV [5] In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: [6] Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; [7] rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. [8] And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! [9] Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, [10] that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [11] and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 

This should remind us of the humility and obedience that marked Jesus' time on earth. The Palm Sunday entry into Jerusalem was not the end of His mission, but rather a significant step on the path to the cross. The cheers of the crowd did not deter Him from the ultimate sacrifice He was willing to make for our salvation.  

Our Palm Sunday faith, therefore, must also be a faith that is willing to follow Jesus, even when the path leads to difficulty and sacrifice. It is a faith that recognizes that true victory often comes through humility and service. It is a faith that remains steadfast, not just in moments of triumph, but also in the face of adversity.

As we begin this Holy Week, let us reflect on the lessons of Palm Sunday. Let us examine the depth and sincerity of our own faith. Are we merely swept up in the excitement of the moment, or are we truly committed to following Jesus, wherever He may lead us?

May the waving of the palms today serve as a symbol of our renewed commitment to Him. May our "Hosannas" be more than just words, but a genuine expression of our desire for His saving grace in our lives. May we have the courage to follow Him, not just to the triumphant entry, but through the trials of the week ahead, knowing that it is through His sacrifice that we find our ultimate hope and salvation.

Let us pray.

Heavenly Father, we thank you for the gift of your Son, Jesus Christ, who entered Jerusalem not as an earthly king but as the humble servant of our salvation. Forgive us for the times when our faith is shallow and easily swayed. Strengthen us, Lord, to follow Jesus with unwavering devotion, through times of joy and times of trial. May our "Hosannas" today be a true reflection of our commitment to you. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.