Sunday March 29, 2026

Sermon Title: The King We Need But Not The King We Expect

Scripture: (John 12:12-19)

Series Big Idea: Palm Sunday Sermon

Sermon Big Idea: Jesus' kingship confronts, divides, and demands our response

Introduction: 

As Jesus enters Jerusalem after raising Lazarus from the dead, the city is teeming with excitement, curiosity, and growing resistance. This dramatic arrival during the Passover festival not only fulfills ancient prophecies but also exposes the wide range of responses to Jesus as the true King.

Jesus Claims His Kingship (vv. 12-15)

Jesus openly presents himself as Messiah by embracing the crowd’s acclamations and deliberately fulfilling prophecy by riding into Jerusalem on a donkey. Yet in doing so, he refuses to meet earthly expectations of a conquering warrior king, choosing instead the path of humility and peace that reveals the true nature of God’s reign.

Jesus Divides the Crowd (vv. 16-19)

The responses to Jesus’ arrival are deeply divided, with some swept up in enthusiasm, others confused, and many, especially the religious leaders, becoming fiercely hostile. Jesus’ kingship compels people to reveal their hearts, drawing some into genuine worship while prompting others to rejection and opposition.

Conclusion: 

Palm Sunday confronts each of us with the question of how we will respond to Jesus: will we receive him as he truly is, or only on our own terms? Genuine faith means surrendering to the King who leads not by might, but by sacrifice, and following him wherever he leads.

John 12:12-19 Bibliography

Walvoord, John F., and Roy B. Zuck, Dallas Theological Seminary. The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985.

Richards, Lawrence O. The Bible Reader’s Companion. Electronic ed. Wheaton: Victor Books, 1991.

Jamieson, Robert, A. R. Fausset, and David Brown. Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible. Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997.

Blum, Edwin A., and Trevin Wax, eds. CSB Study Bible: Notes. Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2017.

Barry, John D., Douglas Mangum, Derek R. Brown, Michael S. Heiser, Miles Custis, Elliot Ritzema, Matthew M. Whitehead, Michael R. Grigoni, and David Bomar. Faithlife Study Bible. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016.

Dockery, David S., ed. Holman Concise Bible Commentary. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1998.

Water, Mark. Key Word Commentary: Thoughts on Every Chapter of the Bible. AMG Publishers, 2003.

Brannan, Rick, and Israel Loken. The Lexham Textual Notes on the Bible. Lexham Bible Reference Series. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014.

MacArthur, John. The MacArthur Bible Handbook. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2003.

MacArthur, John F., Jr. The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006.

Radmacher, Earl D., Ronald Barclay Allen, and H. Wayne House. Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Commentary. Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers, 1999.

Keener, Craig S. The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993.

Smith, Jerome H. The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge: The Most Complete Listing of Cross References Available Anywhere- Every Verse, Every Theme, Every Important Word. Nashville TN: Thomas Nelson, 1992.

Brooks, Keith. Summarized Bible: Complete Summary of the New Testament. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2009.

Hughes, Robert B., and J. Carl Laney. Tyndale Concise Bible Commentary. The Tyndale Reference Library. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2001.

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