Stories have always captivated human hearts. Whether tales of hobbits carrying rings or parables about lost sheep and scattered seeds, the best stories reveal deeper truths beneath their surface narratives. Jesus mastered this art through His parables—simple stories about everyday things that unveiled profound teachings about the kingdom of God, faith, and His Father's heart.
Among the many types of stories that resonate across cultures and generations, stories about kings hold a special place. From The Return of the King to legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, even Marvel's Black Panther, these narratives reveal a universal longing. Deep within the human heart exists a desire for a good king—one who rules with wisdom, strength, and benevolence, bringing peace and prosperity to the land.
While the idea of wanting a king may seem offensive to modern sensibilities, particularly in a nation founded on rejecting monarchy, the reality is that people consistently look for king-like figures to bring order and fulfillment to their lives. This manifests in various ways throughout society.
Political candidates from across the spectrum often present themselves with royal promises—if only the right person occupies the Oval Office, the Senate, or the governor's mansion, then peace and prosperity will follow. But the search for a king extends far beyond politics.
Some people turn romantic partners into their king or queen, believing this person will rescue them from loneliness and abandonment, providing complete fulfillment. Others crown podcasters, authors, influential speakers, or even pastors as their kings, convinced that following these voices will lead to flourishing and happiness. Still others reject all external authorities and crown themselves, declaring sovereignty over their own lives, families, and decisions.
Yet none of these earthly kings can deliver on their promises. The true King that all hearts are actually seeking is Jesus.
The question naturally arises: Why identify Jesus as a king? The Gospels portray Him as a carpenter, a rabbi, a teacher, and a miracle worker—but never show Him sitting on a throne, leading an army, or wielding a scepter. What makes Him a king?
This message from Palm Sunday begins a three-part series called "Crown Him King," examining Jesus's kingship throughout Holy Week. Palm Sunday reveals Jesus entering Jerusalem as king. Good Friday shows His coronation and crowning. Easter Sunday celebrates His greatest victory—a triumph no earthly king has ever achieved.
The remarkable truth is that Jesus didn't wait to act like a king until He was crowned. Just as winners don't wait until they win to act like winners, Jesus already operated with royal authority before His coronation. From His birth, Jesus was king, and the events of Palm Sunday demonstrate this reality clearly.
The account in Mark 11 opens with Jesus and His disciples near Jerusalem, in the villages of Bethphage and Bethany, located just a 30-45 minute walk from the city. This was familiar territory—Bethany was home to Lazarus, Martha, and Mary, where Jesus had previously raised Lazarus from the dead.
As they approached, Jesus issued a specific command to two of His disciples: "Go into the village in front of you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find a colt tied on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it."
This was an unusual directive. Jesus didn't issue it harshly or attach threats—He simply gave a clear command. The disciples obeyed, likely because they had already witnessed His authority over sickness, storms, and even death itself. They didn't obey out of fear but out of love and awe for this good king.
What's particularly striking is that Jesus's authority didn't stop with His disciples. He told them that if anyone questioned their actions, they should simply say, "The Lord has need of it and will send it back immediately."
This would be comparable to a complete stranger arriving at a door today and announcing that God told them to borrow someone's car. A young donkey was a valuable asset—a beast of burden worth significant money with years of useful service ahead. Yet when the disciples encountered the owners and delivered Jesus's message, the people let them take the colt.
Various theories attempt to explain this remarkable response. Some suggest Jewish hospitality culture made people generous, but there's a vast difference between offering food and shelter versus lending a valuable animal. Others propose Jesus arranged this in advance, but there's no evidence or opportunity for such planning in the text.
The most likely explanation is that these people recognized Jesus's authority. He had been in the area before. They knew His teaching and had heard of His miracles. Many suspected He might be the Messiah. When the disciples said "the Lord has need of it," these people immediately thought of Jesus and obeyed their potential king without hesitation.
The manner of Jesus's entry into Jerusalem provides five compelling pieces of evidence that He entered as a king.
First, Jesus allowed His disciples to throw their cloaks on the colt's back. This is significant because just days later, Jesus would remove His outer cloak, wrap a towel around Himself, and wash His disciples' feet as an example of servant leadership. But in this moment, He permitted them to serve Him by providing their personal garments—unique in color and design, used for identification—as a saddle for their Savior.
Second, the crowd also removed their cloaks, but instead of placing them on the animal, they spread them on the road before Jesus. This was customary treatment for royalty—the ancient equivalent of rolling out the red carpet for dignitaries and honored guests.
This practice appears in 2 Kings when Jehu was anointed king of Israel. Upon hearing the news, his fellow commanders immediately removed their garments and placed them on the steps for him to walk down, then proclaimed, "Jehu is king." The people spreading their cloaks for Jesus were making the same royal declaration.
Third, the crowd cut and laid down leafy branches—most likely palm fronds. While modern culture associates palm branches with peace and tropical relaxation, in first-century Judea they carried political significance. Waving palm branches was a subversive statement expressing desire for freedom from Roman occupation. The people wanted their own sovereign nation with their own king, and they were identifying Jesus as that king.
Fourth, and perhaps most convincing, Jesus rode on a donkey's colt in direct fulfillment of Zechariah 9:9: "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey."
Many Jewish people present would have known this prophecy. Seeing Jesus—the miracle worker and extraordinary teacher—mounted on a colt and riding into Jerusalem would have confirmed their expectations: This is the king.
The Romans observing this scene likely found it confusing, even embarrassing. To them, kings rode impressive horses or chariots, wielding swords and shields, displaying strength. Jesus on a humble donkey seemed weak.
But this reveals a crucial truth: Jesus's kingdom doesn't require the strength Rome valued—it requires humility. Humility always puts others' needs first. Within days, Jesus would demonstrate this ultimate humility at the cross, paying the penalty humanity deserved. He didn't deserve crucifixion, yet He accepted it for others. This apparent meekness was not weakness but profound strength.
Fifth, the crowd's proclamation provided clear evidence of Jesus's kingship. They cried out, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!"
They were quoting Psalm 118, and the word "hosanna" means "save us." However, the people were thinking politically—"Save us from the Romans." They wanted Jesus to overthrow the empire and reestablish Israel as an independent nation, referencing David to emphasize their desire for political restoration.
But just as the Romans misunderstood Jesus's humility, the Jewish crowd misunderstood His mission. Overthrowing Rome was too small a goal for the Son of God who exists outside time. Jesus knew earthly kingdoms rise and fall—Rome would eventually fade. But the spiritual kingdom of sin that has ruled since Genesis 3 required a greater victory.
Jesus came to save people from themselves, from evil, from sin. When the cry "Hosanna" is properly understood, it becomes a plea for spiritual salvation, not merely political liberation.
After entering Jerusalem, Jesus went directly to the temple. Mark 11:11 records: "And he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple. And when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve."
This wasn't casual tourism or architectural appreciation. Jesus surveyed the temple like a property owner making an assessment. As the King who established the temple as a place for people to worship the one true God, He was evaluating how His kingdom property was being managed.
His judgment was not favorable. The very next day, as recorded in verses 15-19, Jesus returned to the temple and overturned tables. Other Gospel accounts describe Him fashioning a whip and driving people out. The religious leaders had transformed God's house of prayer into a marketplace, creating barriers between people and worship while profiting financially.
As the one true God, this infuriated Jesus. The King came, made His decree, and acted to restore proper order to His kingdom. He wanted something far better—genuine connection between His people and their God.
The evidence from Palm Sunday clearly demonstrates that Jesus was already king before His coronation. He gave commands with authority, entered Jerusalem with royal recognition, and observed His kingdom with sovereign judgment.
The critical question is not merely recognizing this historical fact, but responding to it personally. Scripture isn't given simply to fill minds with information but to transform hearts and change lives.
Those who profess to be Christians declare Jesus as their King. This profession demands an honest self-examination: Am I actually obeying the King?
Jesus has given clear commandments. Like the two disciples who obeyed despite potential uncertainty, are His followers willing to obey regardless of personal feelings or cultural pressure?
If Jesus walked into the temple of a believer's heart, what would He observe?
He commanded His followers to love their neighbors as themselves and to love their enemies, praying for those who persecute them. Are Christians obeying, or only loving those who are kind and praying for people they already like?
Jesus instructed followers to turn the other cheek. Do they actually let matters drop, or do they fight to protect their reputations at any cost?
All Scripture is God-breathed and useful for teaching, correction, and training in righteousness. When Scripture commands against drunkenness, cursing, gossip, slander, rage, and sexual immorality, are believers fleeing these sins or succumbing to temptation?
Earthly kings promise that joy and prosperity come through indulgence and self-gratification. Yet repeatedly, obeying these false kings leads only to destruction. The true King offers commands designed to save His people from sin and themselves.
This isn't about guilt, which is a poor motivator that might produce temporary improvement but no lasting transformation. The King desires complete freedom and genuine change. Keeping eyes fixed on the King who died on the cross enables confession of disobedience, acceptance of His forgiveness and grace, and the freedom to walk in obedience.
For those who haven't acknowledged Jesus as King, the invitation remains open. Jesus entered Jerusalem as King, and He desires to enter individual lives as King.
The question to consider: Who has been functioning as king? A political figure? An influential author or speaker? A romantic partner? Or perhaps self-rule, with personal autonomy as the highest authority?
These earthly kings may provide temporary satisfaction—little tastes of success that ultimately prove unsatisfying, like drinking salt water that looks wet but causes greater thirst. Only Jesus, the true King, offers living water that genuinely satisfies.
Following Jesus as King doesn't guarantee a pain-free earthly life. But it does promise an eternity with a King who knows, loves, and died for His people. His commands aren't oppressive restrictions but pathways to freedom.
The invitation stands: Will you make Him your King?
This message calls for response in two ways, depending on where individuals stand in their relationship with Jesus.
For those who haven't surrendered to Christ, the Holy Spirit extends a loving invitation to open the door and allow Jesus to sit on the throne of the heart, ruling and reigning for their joy, freedom, and God's glory. Confession of sin, opening the door, and declaring Jesus as God, King, and Savior begins this transformative relationship.
For believers, the call is to honest confession. Even those who know Jesus died for their sin and rose from the dead sometimes run to earthly kings instead of bowing fully to Christ. Confession of these failures, acceptance of forgiveness and grace, and reliance on the Holy Spirit's power enables faithful living.
This isn't about legalism or rule-following for its own sake. It's about the freedom Jesus offers—freedom that benefits both individuals and the world around them. The call is to trust and obey the King's commands, regardless of how the world perceives them, because He is a good and humble King.
The King has entered. The question remains: How will you respond?
