The King Arrives 

“When he came near the place where 

the road goes down the Mount of Olives, 

the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God 

in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:  

‘Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! 

Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!’” 

Luke 19:37-38 

Jesus and His disciples entered Jerusalem on Sunday of the last week of His earthly ministry. He entered into what we call “Passion Week” or “Holy Week” with this triumphal arrival in Jerusalem. Much would transpire between that particular Sunday and the one a week later. 

As Jesus descended from the Mount of Olives down into the valley between the mount and the city of Jerusalem, crowds welcomed Him. Over the prior three years, they had heard His messages and witnessed His healing ministry. Jesus represented liberation and freedom from Rome and release from the grip of hypocritical religious leaders. Who better to throw off the shackles of their Roman oppressors and bring integrity to their faith leaders? Who better to be their King? 

People lined the roadway. Men, women, and children sang praises to God and shouted, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Luke 19:38). The King they had longed for finally arrived just as the prophets had foretold. He came on a donkey. Throngs waved palm branches and laid their cloaks on the ground before Him. All this done in fulfillment of prophecy regarding the arrival of Israel’s Messiah and King. On that Sunday, the crowds wholeheartedly embraced Jesus as the King of the Jews. 

Days later, they turned against Him and disavowed Him as their King. While Jesus met all the prophetic expectations, He did not meet theirs. And by Thursday, they completely rejected Jesus and His message. 

It’s very easy to be critical of those who first hailed Jesus and then rejected Him. But we tend to do the very same thing. We are looking for Jesus to be who we want Him to be rather than Who He really is. 

Imposing our expectations on Christ doesn’t change who He is, but it does impact how we cope with life. We presume that we know what we need and what is best for us. We actually believe we know better than God does. Our frustration with God produces a lack of peace, a sense of hopelessness, and a heavy heart as we process our everyday lives. Yet when we embrace Jesus for Who He is, we initiate an opportunity for deep peace, uplifting hope, and a content heart, even when life overwhelms us. 

Are you like those Palm Sunday crowds? Do you tend to be comfortable when Jesus fulfills your expectations and frustrated when He doesn’t? 

Today, as we celebrate Palm Sunday, let’s embrace Christ for Who He is, the King of Kings! Only then will we realize true peace, hope, and contentment.