Palm Sunday reveals that while the crowd rightly recognized Jesus as King, they misunderstood His mission. They expected a political Savior who would overthrow Rome, but Jesus came as a humble King riding on a colt to deal with a far greater problem—sin. When He didn’t meet their expectations, many turned away. In the same way, we can be tempted to follow a version of Jesus that fits our desires rather than submitting to who He truly is. The call of this passage is to trust and follow the real Jesus—our sacrificial Savior and risen King—who offers not just what we want, but what we need most.

Matthew 21:1-11
21: 1 And when we had parted from them and set sail, we came by a straight course to Cos, and the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara. 2 And having found a ship crossing to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail. 3 When we had come in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left we sailed to Syria and landed at Tyre, for there the ship was to unload its cargo. 4 And having sought out the disciples, we stayed there for seven days. And through the Spirit they were telling Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. 5 When our days there were ended, we departed and went on our journey, and they all, with wives and children, accompanied us until we were outside the city. And kneeling down on the beach, we prayed 6 and said farewell to one another. Then we went on board the ship, and they returned home.
7 When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais, and we greeted the brothers and stayed with them for one day. 8 On the next day we departed and came to Caesarea, and we entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. 9 He had four unmarried daughters, who prophesied. 10 While we were staying for many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11 And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’ ”

See Sermon Study Guide: https://myrealchurch.org/teaching/acts/palm-sunday-discussion-questions/

Palm Sunday 2026