As Jesus approaches Jerusalem in Matthew 21:1–11, he knows exactly what lies ahead—conflict, betrayal, crucifixion. And yet, he rides in openly, publicly, intentionally. The crowd cheers. Palms wave. Coats fall on dusty roads like royal carpets. But beneath this joyful scene is a tension that reveals something essential about who Jesus is and what kind of King he came to be.
Let’s walk through this story together.
The King Who Fulfills God’s Promises
“This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet…” (Matthew 21:4)
Jesus sends two disciples to fetch a donkey and a colt from a nearby village—an odd request unless you know the prophecy he’s fulfilling. Zechariah 9:9 had promised that Israel’s king would come “gentle and riding on a donkey.” By choosing this animal, Jesus doesn’t just show up—he declares himself. The King is here.
But not the kind of king anyone expected.
He doesn’t ride a warhorse. He doesn’t arrive with an army. He comes lowly, mounted on a humble beast of burden, embodying peace rather than power. Jesus is the King who fulfills God’s Word, but in ways that redefine our expectations.
The King Who Invites Worship—but Not on Our Terms
“Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Matthew 21:9)
The crowd sees what Jesus is doing. They spread their cloaks and shout “Hosanna!”—a word that originally meant “save us now.” They call him the Son of David, acknowledging his royal lineage and messianic identity.
And yet, just days later, many of these voices will fall silent—or worse, join the crowd calling for his crucifixion.
Why the shift?
Because Jesus didn’t meet their expectations. They wanted a revolutionary Messiah to defeat Rome. Jesus came to defeat sin and death. They wanted immediate deliverance. Jesus came to bring eternal salvation through the cross.
It’s easy to worship when Jesus fits our agenda. It’s harder when he confronts our idols, challenges our pride, or leads us into suffering. But true worship isn’t about what we get from Jesus—it’s about surrendering to who he is.
The King Who Shakes the City
“When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred, asking, ‘Who is this?’” (Matthew 21:10)
The word stirred here (Greek: eseisthē) implies more than just a mild buzz—it suggests the city was shaken, even disturbed. The presence of Jesus demands a response. Some are amazed. Some are offended. Some are confused. But no one can ignore him.
This same question echoes through history and into our own hearts: “Who is this?”
Who is Jesus to you? A good teacher? A moral example? A helper when life gets hard?
Or is he your King—the one who deserves your worship, your loyalty, your life?
Final Thoughts: Lay Down Your Cloak
The people laid their cloaks before Jesus as he entered the city. It was an act of honor, submission, and expectation.
Today, he still comes to us—not with force, but with grace. Not with a sword, but with a cross. And he still invites us to lay down our “cloaks”—our pride, our control, our conditions—and receive him as the King we truly need.
He is the unexpected King. Will you welcome him?
