The Triumphal Entry
By Senior Pastor Dr. Bill Rains | April 13, 2025 | Palm Sunday
Open your Bibles to Matthew 21:1-15. When they drew nigh unto Jerusalem…Jesus sent two disciples, saying unto them, Go into the village…and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me…The Lord hath need of them. This fulfilled Zechariah’s prophecy: Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass. The disciples obeyed, and a multitude spread garments and palm branches, crying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest. Jerusalem asked, Who is this? They answered, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee. Jesus entered the temple, drove out merchandisers, saying, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. He healed the blind and lame, but the priests were displeased. Let’s pray: Father, thank You for this host, first-time guests, salvations like Caleb and Leila, baptisms, and singing. Inspire us with this story, bring others to Christ, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Palm Sunday thrills me—Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, followed by next week’s resurrection celebration. Imagine Jesus riding a donkey, colt beside her, down Jerusalem’s slopes. Crowds lay garments and branches, shouting “Hosanna”—“save now.” He enters the temple, expels profiteers, heals the needy, and leaves all in awe. Today, with palm branches distributed, lay your heart before Jesus—His plan is best. Three lessons emerge: preparation for Christ’s arrival, obedience despite questions, and recognizing Jesus as potentate, not just prophet.
Preparation for Christ’s Arrival
Jesus’ entry required preparation—people, places, things. He needed a donkey and colt to fulfill Zechariah 9:9, as every jot and tittle must be fulfilled (Matthew 5:18). Two unnamed disciples fetched them, and an owner allowed their use. The Lord hath need of them—God, sovereign and needing nothing, chose to need these. Great works of God demand preparation: prayer, sowing, and watering the Word. Matthew 9:37-38 urges, Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers. Matthew 13:18-23 speaks of sowing; 1 Corinthians 3:5-7 of watering, God giving increase. Pray, share the gospel, don’t quit—prepare for God’s triumph in your life.
Obedience Despite Questions
The disciples obeyed, did as Jesus commanded them (verse 6), fetching the donkeys. The owner questioned, What are you doing?—not out of unbelief, but responsibility. Mark’s account confirms this happened. They replied, The Lord hath need of them, and the owner obliged. Responsible stewards often question first, signaling care, yet obey when God’s purpose is clear. Obedience merges disciples, owners, and donkeys into a memorial event, celebrated 2,000 years later. Romans 10:13 promises, Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Caleb and Leila’s salvation today shows obedience’s fruit. Your obedience—believing, confessing Christ—ushers in God’s work.
A Potentate, Not Just a Prophet
The crowd called Jesus the prophet of Nazareth (verse 11), but He’s more—1 Timothy 6:15 names Him the Potentate, unmatched ruler. In the temple, He overturned tables, drove out merchandisers, and none dared stop Him—not even guards. His authority paralyzed them, as when He said I am in Gethsemane, and soldiers fell back (John 18:6). Yet, He healed the blind and lame, meeting true needs. This Wednesday, we’ll honor His crucifixion—biblically Wednesday, not Friday—when Judas betrayed Him for 30 pieces of silver. Jesus, the I am, rules. Lay your palm branch—your heart—before Him, saying, “Have Thine own way.” He’s here today; let Him touch you.