The King

The King

Palmarum – 4/13/2025

John 12:12-19

Rev. Dr. Christopher W. Brademeyer

That portion from God’s holy Word for consideration this morning is our processional reading from the twelfth chapter of the Holy Gospel according to St. John with special emphasis on verses fourteen through sixteen which read as follows:

“And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written,  ‘Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey's colt!’  His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him.”[1]

Thus far the Scriptures.

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

What a scene it must have been! Crowds surging through the streets of Jerusalem, waving palm branches, crying out, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" It's a scene of excitement, of anticipation. We celebrate this each year on this day, Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week.

The people gathered had heard of Jesus. They had seen His miracles, perhaps even witnessed Him call Lazarus from death and the tomb. News about Jesus spread like wildfire. Here was a man who had power over death itself! Surely, they thought, He was the King who would free them from Roman oppression. Surely, He was the Messiah they had waited for. They were, of course, right, but not in the way they expected.

The King Comes, but Not as Expected

When we think of a king entering a city, we imagine grandeur: a warhorse, banners, trumpets, perhaps an army behind him. But Jesus enters on a donkey’s colt — an animal of humility, of peace, not of war. This is no accident. John reminds us of the prophecy from Zechariah: “Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey's colt!”[2] Jesus is intentionally fulfilling the promise of the foretold King who comes not to conquer by force, but to bring peace through sacrifice. The crowds shouted Hosanna! meaning "Save us!” But their expectations were short-sighted. They sought salvation from earthly troubles, from Roman rule, that is, foreign oppression and occupation. But Jesus came for something far greater. Namely, to save them, and us, from sin, death, and the power of the devil.

The King Comes for the Cross

The irony of Palm Sunday is that the cries of "Hosanna!" would soon become cries of "Crucify him!" Here the crowd that gathered welcomed Jesus. The crowd that met Him during His trial and crucifixion cried out for His death. But Jesus knew this. He entered Jerusalem fully aware of what awaited Him. He came not to claim an earthly throne but to ascend the throne of the Cross. He came to be the sacrificial Lamb, to bear the sins of the world, to die so that we might live.

The humility of Christ is not weakness. It is strength. It is love poured out completely for us. St. Paul writes in Philippians, "He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross."[3] This is the King we worship — a King who serves, a King who suffers, a King who saves.

The King Still Comes to Us Today

Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem is not just a historical event; it continues to benefit us today. Our King still comes to us humbly, quietly, yet powerfully. He comes to us in His Word, proclaiming forgiveness, life, and salvation. He comes to us in Baptism, claiming us as His own. He comes to us in the Lord’s Supper, feeding us with His own body and blood. He comes to us so that in moments of fear and doubt we would heed His Word, "Fear not, daughter of Zion; your King is coming."

Even today, the world still misunderstands Him. Many expect a Savior who will simply fix their immediate problems or grant prosperity. But Jesus gives us something far greater: He grants us peace with God, the forgiveness of sins, and the hope of eternal life.

The Pharisees, seeing the crowds, said in frustration, “Look, the world has gone after him.” They meant it as a complaint. But in truth, it is a beautiful confession: the world does go after Him, for He is the only One who can truly save.

Conclusion

So, dear friends, as we wave our palms and celebrate our Lord’s triumphal entry, we join the great procession of believers who follow the King of kings. Not because He rides a warhorse or wields a sword, but because He rides in humility to conquer sin and death for us all. Let our prayers echo the crowds of Jerusalem, but with fuller understanding: “Hosanna! Save us, Lord!” And with joy, we can trust that He has and will continue to do so.

In the holy Name of + Jesus. Amen.

The peace of God that passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.

[1] John 12:14-16 English Standard Version

[2] John 12:15, Zechariah 9:9

[3] Philippians 2:8