Series Big Idea: "Focusing on the human quest for power, verses God’s sovereign reign"

Sermon Big: "We celebrate Jesus as King, but often miss the kind of Kingdom He brings"

Key Scripture (John 12:12-19)

Why isn’t God fixing what’s wrong with the world right now? That’s a question many of us are asking. We see the brokenness around us. There is literal chaos in the world, tension in our relationships, struggles in our hearts. We wonder why God doesn’t just step in and make it right. If He’s good, if He’s powerful, and if He really cares, then why not now?

That question isn’t new. In John 12, we find a crowd with the exact same concern. They're tired of Roman rule. They’re longing for deliverance. And when Jesus shows up, they think, finally, here’s our King. He’ll fix it. So, they praise Him. They shout, Hosanna! They wave palm branches, which are symbols of national victory. But just underneath their enthusiasm is a deep misunderstanding of what kind of King Jesus is, and what kind of kingdom He came to bring.

John 12:12–19 isn’t just about palm branches and parades; it is about misplaced expectations colliding with God’s greater purpose. And in this passage, we’ll see two truths that challenge our assumptions and help us see Jesus clearly: we cheer for a king but often misunderstand His mission, and we celebrate His name but often miss His kingdom.

(John 12:12-19)

12 The next day, when the large crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 13 they took palm branches and went out to meet him. They kept shouting: “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord^,—the King of Israel!” 14 Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written: 15 Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion. Look, your King is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt. 16 His disciples did not understand these things at first. However, when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and that they had done these things to him. 17 Meanwhile, the crowd, which had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead, continued to testify. 18 This is also why the crowd met him, because they heard he had done this sign. 19 Then the Pharisees said to one another, “You see? You’ve accomplished nothing. Look, the world has gone after him!” 

I.         We cheer for a king but often Misunderstand His mission (John 12:12–16)

John 12:12 tells us, “The next day, when the large crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, they took palm branches and went out to meet him. They kept shouting: ‘Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; the King of Israel!’” (John 12:12–13 CSB)

The scene is huge. This is the beginning of Passover week and Jerusalem is overflowing with Jews from all over. They’ve heard about Lazarus. They’ve seen miracles. And now, they believe Jesus might be the one who will finally liberate them from Rome. So, they shout “Hosanna!” Which is a Hebrew word meaning “Save us now!” They wave palm branches, a national symbol of victory and political hope. And they declare Him “King of Israel!”

But here’s what they missed: Jesus doesn’t enter with a sword. He comes on a donkey. Verse 14 says, “Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written: Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion. Look, your King is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt.” (John 12:14–15 CSB)

This fulfills Zechariah 9:9. Jesus is making a bold claim to be the Messiah, but not the kind they were hoping for. Not a military general. Not a political reformer. A humble, peace-bringing, cross-bearing King. And verse 16tells us that even His disciples didn’t get it: “His disciples did not understand these things at first. However, when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered...” (John 12:16 CSB)

This is the heart of Palm Sunday: a crowd celebrating Jesus yet deeply misunderstanding His mission. The question is, do we do the same? We may welcome Jesus into our lives, but only if He fits our purposes. We want Him to fix our family, calm our anxiety, bless our plans. But Jesus didn’t come to fit into our plans, He came to save us from sin. He didn’t come to rearrange our kingdom. He came to reveal His. So, the danger is not in praising Jesus. The danger is praising a version of Jesus who doesn’t confront our sin or call for surrender.

II.         We celebrate His name but often Miss His kingdom (John 12:17–19)

Verse 17 tells us the crowd who had seen Lazarus raised from the dead “continued to testify.” They believed in Jesus’ power, but they didn’t yet understand His purpose. Verse 18 says, “This is also why the crowd met him, because they heard he had done this sign.” (John 12:18 CSB) They wanted a king who could defeat Rome, not one who would be crucified by Rome.

That’s what makes verse 19 so powerful and tragic at the same time. “Then the Pharisees said to one another, ‘You, see? You’ve accomplished nothing. Look, the world has gone after him!’” (John 12:19 CSB) It’s an exaggeration, but also prophetic. Yes, the world was going after Jesus but not in the way they imagined. The crowd praised Him on Sunday but by Friday, many were shouting, “Crucify Him!” Why? Because the kingdom Jesus brought was not what they expected. Not power, but peace. Not politics, but pardon. Not control, but a cross.

What about us? Are we worshiping Jesus for what He can do or for who He truly is? Is our discipleship rooted in His Word or in our wants? Are we building our lives around the kingdom of heaven or are we still clinging to the kingdoms of this world? Palm Sunday is not just a celebration. It’s a confrontation. It asks: Do you really want the King who came to serve and suffer or are you still waiting for someone who will save you on your terms?

Conclusion:

Here’s the grace in it all: Jesus knew they would turn on Him and yet He still entered the city. He knew the palm branches would become thorns; the cheers would become chants for death, but He still came. Why? Because this King is not like any other. He doesn’t rule by taking. He rules by giving. He doesn’t demand our service. He becomes our servant. He doesn’t sit on a throne of gold. He hangs on a cross of wood. And in doing so He wins a crown of glory that He offers to all who trust in Him. And now He invites us to remember.

Holman Christian Standard Bible

English Standard Version Bible

King James Version Bible

Christian Standard Bible

John 12:12-19 Bibliography

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MacArthur, John F., Jr. The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible. Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006, p. Jn 12:1–19.

Bell, James Stuart, editor. Ancient Faith Study Bible. Holman Bibles, 2019, pp. 1311–12.

Spurgeon. The Spurgeon Study Bible: Notes. Holman Bible Publishers, 2017, p. 1444.

Barry, John D., et al. Faithlife Study Bible. Lexham Press, 2012, 2016, p. Jn 12:13–15.

Cabal, Ted, et al. The Apologetics Study Bible: Real Questions, Straight Answers, Stronger Faith. Holman Bible Publishers, 2007, p. 1596.

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Phillips, John. Exploring the Gospel of John: An Expository Commentary. Kregel Publications; WORDsearch Corp., 2009, p. Jn 12:12–19.

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Barker, Kenneth L. Expositor’s Bible Commentary (Abridged Edition: New Testament). Zondervan Publishing House, 1994, p. 338.

Osborne, Grant, Philip W. Comfort. Cornerstone Biblical Commentary, Vol 13: John and 1, 2, and 3 John. Tyndale House Publishers, 2007, pp. 179–82.

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