Sunday, March 29, 2026

Scriptures: Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29, Matthew 21:1-11

Sermon title: Who is this?

1. Context

To understand the power of Palm Sunday, we should remember the narratives in the Gospel of Matthew: Jesus has been journeying toward Jerusalem, healing the sick, teaching the crowds, and challenging religious leaders on matters of faith and power. The tension has been growing for a long time. Now, as He prepares to enter Jerusalem, where many Pharisees, Sadducees, scribes, chief priests, elders, and Roman authorities stand ready to challenge Him. He arrives during the Passover, a sacred time when people from many places gather to remember how God delivered them from slavery in Egypt through Moses.

2. Jesus Prepares His Entry into Jerusalem

It is Sunday morning as Jesus and His disciples approach Jerusalem through of Bethphage and Bethany on the Mount of Olives. Though He had traveled to Jerusalem before major feasts, this journey is different because of His purpose. As they draw near, Jesus sends two disciples ahead, instructing them to find and bring a donkey and her colt.

The Gospels of Luke, Mark, and John emphasize that the disciples found a young colt that had never been ridden. However, the Gospel of Matthew mentions both the donkey and her colt. This makes sense, as the trained mother would lead the way while the colt followed, making it easier for the disciples to bring them to Jesus.

The first thing we see is Jesus sending two disciples to take something that does not belong to them. In today’s terms, this would seem shocking and even unlawful, like taking someone’s property without permission. It would feel risky and difficult, raising the question: would we be willing to follow such a command if we were in their place? The disciples knew the Old Testament law required repaying double for taking someone’s property, yet they did not question Jesus. Even without fully understanding, they trusted and obeyed. This raises a question for us today: how do we respond when God asks us to do something that seems unclear, difficult, or beyond our understanding?

Second, when they brought the donkey to Him, “he sat on it,” and we are told, “No one has ever ridden it”. This donkey was still wild. It was tied because it was not trained or ridden. But Jesus “sat on it” and, by doing so, ruled it. The donkey surrendered to Jesus’ authority.

Even though we are saved from sin, we are still called to submit our lives to the Lord’s authority. Some may be “untied” yet still live without surrender, but we must allow God to rule our lives. When we truly encounter Jesus as Lord and Savior, our lives change, we receive a new heart and grow in love, kindness, patience, and understanding, reflecting Christ in the world.

3. Jesus fulfilled the OT prophecy

Jesus rides a donkey to reveal Himself as a prophetic King, fulfilling the promise of the Messiah. As foretold in Zechariah 9:9, the king would come riding on a donkey, confirming Jesus as the true Messiah and Son of God. The two disciples helped fulfill the prophecy through their obedience. It encourages us that even when our actions seem small or insignificant, God can use our faithfulness to accomplish His greater purposes. We are called to respond and act as Christ commands. Yet this raises a question: after walking most of the journey to Jerusalem, why does Jesus choose to ride a donkey for this final stretch?

Roman governors and generals entered cities with horses, soldiers, and displays of power and authority. In contrast, Jesus enters riding a humble donkey, symbolizing peace and humility. He comes to bring reconciliation and peace with God. Again, Jesus rode a donkey to reveal Himself as a servant, showing that He came not to be served but to serve.

As His followers, we are called to be faithful servants who bring peace to others and cultivate peace within ourselves.

4. Jesus saves us today

As Jesus entered Jerusalem, the crowd cried, “Hosanna!” expecting a king who would deliver them from Roman rule and restore Israel’s power. They hoped for a conquering hero, but Jesus came humbly on a donkey, signaling peace rather than force. Because He did not meet their expectations, the same crowd that praised Him on Palm Sunday later turned and called for His crucifixion on Good Friday. The crowd wanted a savior who met their expectations and did not understand Jesus’ true mission. Like Peter and John, who resisted the idea of His crucifixion, they missed God’s plan. Yet Jesus came to save us from sin and death, offering forgiveness, new life, and reconciliation with God.

5. Conclusion

To conclude, when Jesus entered Jerusalem, the city asked, “Who is this?” and the crowd responded, “Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth.” While true, this is not complete; Jesus is more than a prophet; He is Savior, Lord, and King.

Beloved in Christ, we often respond like the crowd, turning to Jesus when we need Him, trying to shape Him to fit our plans and expectations, rather than surrendering to who He is.  The question remains: who is Jesus to you? On Palm Sunday, we are invited to welcome and praise Jesus not only for what He does, but for who He is, in every season of life. We are reminded that we already have many reasons to worship, life itself, and the grace we receive through Jesus. This week, begin your prayers with praise, thanking God for who He is, and surrender your expectations by asking the Lord to guide you in His way. Amen.