The King We Needed
Matthew 21:1–11
Last week at Grace, a cross was placed at the front of the sanctuary—not as a decoration, but as a declaration. A declaration that the cross is not a symbol of defeat but of victory. It is where sin was canceled, where the debt was paid, and where the King we needed accomplished what no earthly king ever could.
This week, we look at the Triumphal Entry. Jesus rides into Jerusalem as the crowd erupts into celebration. But make no mistake—the people were cheering for a king of their own making. They wanted power, deliverance from Rome, and national pride. But Jesus came for something far greater. He came to defeat the true enemies: sin and death.
Jesus is the King we did not expect, but exactly the King that we needed.
The Crowd Welcomed a King of Their Own Making. Jesus came to usher in the kingdom that no one was expecting.
Palms were waved, coats thrown down, and shouts of “Hosanna” echoed through the streets. But behind the festive energy was a misunderstanding. They expected a military hero, a political figurehead, a liberator in the image of someone like William Wallace—strong, forceful, unyielding. What they received instead was a gentle, humble Savior riding on a donkey.
We must ask ourselves today: are we welcoming Jesus on His terms—or demanding that He follow ours?
Jesus Is…
1. The King of All (Matthew 21:1–3)
Jesus sends His disciples to retrieve a donkey and a colt, already knowing where they would be. He tells them to say, “The Lord has need of them.” Not “the teacher” or “the rabbi.” The Lord—the One with full authority and divine power. This is no ordinary man. This is the sovereign King who speaks, and creation obeys.
Always Remember: Jesus did not borrow authority. He owns it.
2. The King Who Was Prophesied (Matthew 21:5; Zechariah 9:9)
The people missed the message of the prophets. Though Zechariah had spoken 500 years earlier of a gentle king riding on a donkey, the crowd forgot. They edited God’s Word to suit their hopes. But Jesus fulfilled every word with precision.
Application: Do we follow Jesus for who He is—or for what we want Him to be?
3. The Savior King (Matthew 21:6–9; Psalm 118:25–26)
“Hosanna” means “Save now!” The crowd cried for immediate deliverance, not realizing Jesus was initiating a far greater Exodus—from slavery and sin. At Passover, Israel remembered their rescue from Egypt. Now, the Lamb of God was about to bring a new and eternal freedom.
Always Remember: Jesus did not come to conquer Rome. He came to conquer your sin.
4. The Gentle King (Matthew 21:9; Isaiah 11:4)
Unlike the rulers of the day, Jesus was approachable. Children, outcasts, and sinners drew near. And though the crowd shouted “Hosanna,” soon they would cry “Crucify Him.” This is the anomaly of Jesus: majestic yet meek, holy yet humble. And still, He desires relationship with us.
Always Remember: The King you crucified is the same King who wants you.
5. The King Who Brings Peace (Matthew 21:10–11; Romans 5:1)
Peace is not the absence of conflict; it is the presence of God. Jesus did not come to wage war on enemies we can see. He came to restore peace between us and God. The cross is proof that peace is possible.
Always Remember: The King who entered the city brought more than a parade. He brought peace.
Conclusion: Will You Follow the King?
The cross stands because Jesus, the King we needed, went willingly to His death. So, we ask: What burden are you carrying? Sin, shame, guilt, fear—lay it at the foot of the cross. Today, surrender your heart not to a king of your own making, but to the true King—Jesus Christ.
And for those being baptized this week—what a beautiful public declaration: “I follow the King who went to the cross for me.”