The city of Jerusalem was bustling with excitement. Passover was near, and pilgrims had gathered from all over, ready to celebrate the Jewish feast. But on this day, something extraordinary was happening. Jesus, the man who had healed the sick, fed the hungry, and spoken words of life, was entering the city. And He wasn’t coming in as a political leader or military conqueror. He was coming in as the King of Peace.

Riding on a donkey, fulfilling the prophecy from Zechariah 9:9, Jesus made His way into Jerusalem. The crowd, filled with anticipation, laid down palm branches and shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”* They recognized Him as the promised Messiah, the Savior who had come to set them free. But they didn’t fully understand the kind of King He was. They were hoping for freedom from Roman oppression, but Jesus was bringing freedom from something far greater—freedom from sin and death.

Matthew 21:1-11

"As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, ‘Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to Me. If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.’

This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: ‘Say to Daughter Zion, “See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”’

The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 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!’

When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, ‘Who is this?’

The crowds answered, ‘This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.’”

Palm Sunday marks the moment when Jesus openly declared His kingship, but not in the way people expected. He entered Jerusalem not on a warhorse, but on a humble donkey, showing that His kingdom was one of peace, not force. This moment points to the kind of King He is—a King who came to serve, not to be served, and who would ultimately lay down His life for His people.

The crowd’s cry of “Hosanna” was a shout of praise and a plea for salvation. While they expected a deliverer from political oppression, Jesus came to deliver them from something far deeper—spiritual bondage. He offers a kingdom where peace reigns, where His love transforms hearts, and where forgiveness and grace abound.

Palm Sunday is a reminder that Jesus is not only the King of the Jews; He is the King of all, and He comes to bring peace, salvation, and restoration to all who will receive Him. His kingdom is not of this world, but it is here and now, available to all who choose to follow Him.

Reflect

What does it mean to you that Jesus is King? Are you willing to make Him the King of your life, not just in word, but in action? Today, reflect on the kind of King Jesus is—humble, peaceful, sacrificial—and consider how you can make room for His rule in your life. Let this day be a reminder that true freedom comes not from the circumstances of our lives, but from the King who came to bring us eternal life.

Prayer

Jesus, thank You for coming to this earth as the King of peace and love. Thank You for laying down Your life so that I could have a relationship with You. I want to make You the King of my life today. Help me to live in a way that honors You and reflects Your humility, love, and grace. I invite You to reign in my heart and my life. Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Amen.