Main Passage: John 12:12-16 “The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the king of Israel!” Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written:  “Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.”

Core Message: This message speaks of what we know today as ‘Palm Sunday,’ which marks the humble, yet powerful, coronation of Jesus Christ our King. His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, six days before Passover, was an incredible prophetic fulfillment! The Lord Jesus is the perfect sacrifice, the only true King, and the ultimate way to eternal glory. 

The Perfect and Final Sacrifice

Jesus’ arrival into Jerusalem, as recounted in John 12, was deliberately timed to coincide with the Passover celebration. His role as the ultimate sacrifice was foreshadowed centuries earlier in Exodus 12:3, when each family was commanded to select an unblemished and perfect lamb for their deliverance from the plagues over Egypt. 

• Perfect Atonement: Sin separates us from a Holy God and only the blood of a perfect and unblemished lamb could atone for wrongs done against Him. Jesus willingly became this perfect sacrifice for us, in order to provide complete forgiveness and reconciliation with God.
• Deliverance from Judgment: In the time of Moses as referenced in Exodus 12, the Israelites were instructed to place the blood of a spotless lamb on their door posts to save them from the judgement of God being poured out in the form of the plagues.  Just as the blood of the lamb on the doorposts saved Israel from the Angel of Death in the final plague, the blood of Jesus applied to the "doorpost of our heart" ensures that no harm, disease, or death can separate us from God's love.
• Once for All: Unlike temporary animal sacrifices that had to be repeated annually, Jesus’ sacrifice covers all sins: past, present, and future. His dying once for all time is the perfect and final sacrifice (Hebrews 10:12-14).

Salvation and New Life

The coming of Christ our King was prophesied about in Zechariah 9:9:

“Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” 

When Jesus passed by on the foal, the crowd shouted "Hosanna!" (meaning "God, save me!"). This shouting was a plea for political salvation, but Jesus’ plan was for something far greater than a temporary, earthly victory. He came to offer complete salvation: touching the heart of man and making the way for His Kingdom to be made known inside of us.

• Surrender and Trust: Jesus rode into Jerusalem knowing the suffering He would soon face, yet He trusted that God's plans for His life were perfect. As believers, we follow this example of obedience, knowing it is the path to salvation. Through obedience, we demonstrate true faith in action, trusting God's will for our lives despite any circumstances.
• Full Lordship: The people in Jerusalem were looking for a King, but only over certain political aspects of their lives. However, when we choose to crown Christ as our King, we are not limiting Him to just one area of our lives (e.g., finances or health). His sacrifice compels us to lay down every area of our lives so that He may become Lord over our thoughts and actions. We become a new creation!
• The Abundant Life: Christ our King willingly went to the cross in order that we may receive abundant life. His victory breaks the power of sin and death over us, offering a supernatural life where God's authority resides within us, allowing our prayers to accomplish the impossible. 

A Glimpse of Heaven on Earth 

The triumphal entry foreshadows Jesus' ultimate coronation and ascension into the true temple–-Heaven itself! 

As Hebrews 9:24 states, “For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence.”

• The Heavenly Temple: Christ's entry into the earthly temple in Jerusalem was not only a prophetic fulfillment, but also a foreshadow of His entrance into Heaven, where He achieved victory over death. In Heaven, we can picture Jesus being met by myriads of angels singing in joyful procession; this was a coronation far grander than any earthly spectacle!
• A Rich Welcome: When we crown Christ our King, continually walking in that Lordship, His glory enters our hearts. Jesus made the way for us to also be received into Heaven just as He was!
• Heaven on Earth: Christians do not need to wait for Heaven to receive this glory. Isaiah 60:19 tells us that when Christ, who is light, enters the believer, “The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory.” When Jesus enters the heart, He becomes our sun, our light of hope, joy, and wisdom, bringing all the power and treasures of the Holy Spirit inside of us. God’s glorious light coming into our hearts is truly Heaven on Earth!

Next Step: Ask yourself -  Have I crowned Jesus as King over every area of my life, thereby welcoming His Triumphal Entry–His light, hope, and joy–into my heart?