Palm Sunday: Jesus Comes to Meet You, What Will You Say Back?

Introduction

On Palm Sunday, Jesus decides to go up to Jerusalem to reveal himself to the world. Only five days separate him from the cross, and yet, before his passion, he lives through what you might call his brief moment in the spotlight. A short, ambiguous moment, where the crowd shouts "Hosanna" but many still don't understand who he truly is.

In John 12:12-50, the apostle John brings together two major discourses of Jesus. The first explains his identity and his mission. The second is a final appeal addressed to all of humanity, and you and I are part of that "all." This article follows the passage in three parts: the triumphal entry and the contrasting reactions it stirs up, Jesus' teaching on his mission, and finally his ultimate call, one you need to answer.

Sermon Outline

1. The Triumphal Entry and the Crowd's Contrasting Reactions

• Jesus fulfills the prophecy of Zechariah by riding on a donkey: he does not come to wage war, he comes to offer peace.
• Part of the crowd rejects Christ: the Pharisees out of open hatred, others believe in him but don't dare admit it for fear of what people will think.
• Another part welcomes him, waving palm branches, a symbol of victory, but often for the wrong reasons, hoping for a political liberator.
• Even the disciples only understand, after the resurrection, what was really happening that day.

2. The First Discourse: The Identity and Mission of Jesus

• Jesus calls himself the "Son of Man," a title that speaks both to his divinity (Daniel 7) and his full humanity, in solidarity with us.
• He announces that he will be "lifted up," in the earthly sense through the cross, and in the heavenly sense through the resurrection.
• Before the crowd, he shares his troubled heart at the death that is coming. He is fully human, and his fear is real, but he immediately continues: "for this purpose I came to this hour."
• The Father answers audibly from heaven, as at his baptism and at the transfiguration. Jesus tells the crowd: "This voice hasn't come for my sake, but for your sakes."
• The grain of wheat that dies to bear fruit: that is Jesus buried, and the fruit is you.

3. The Second Discourse: The Final Appeal

• After hiding himself for a time, Jesus comes back one last time to make his ultimate appeal.
• He did not come to judge the world, but to save it. He himself will not be the one to condemn on the last day: it will be the rejection of his word.
• The ball is in your court. Jesus hands each person back their own responsibility.
• The Father's commandment is eternal life. God wants you to choose life.

Key Takeaways

• Jesus does not come to condemn you. He comes to save you, in peace, humbly, riding on a donkey.
• There is no neutral ground: failing to confess Jesus before others is already taking a stand against him. But if you have denied him like Peter did, he can forgive you.
• Faith is not built on miracles but on the one who performs them. Many saw the raising of Lazarus and still did not believe.
• The cross is a powerful force of attraction: "And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself."
• It is the word of God that will judge you on the last day, not human opinions. Today, that word calls you to life.

Personal Application

1. Can you clearly say, today, who Jesus is for you?
2. Do you ever feel ashamed of Jesus in front of your family, coworkers, or friends? What made you stay silent the last time?
3. Is your faith built on what God has done in your life (miracles, blessings), or on Christ himself?
4. Is there someone you can't manage to forgive? Can you hand that person over to Jesus today?
5. If Jesus told you this morning "I am coming to meet you," what would your concrete answer be this week?

Scripture References

• John 12:12-50 (WEB)
• Zechariah 9:9 (WEB), the coming of the humble king on a donkey
• Isaiah 53:1 (WEB), "who has believed our message"
• Isaiah 6 (WEB), the vision of God's glory
• Matthew 13:13-15 (WEB), the heart that closes itself off

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Jesus enter Jerusalem on a donkey instead of a horse?

In the first century, the horse was the animal of war and military majesty. By choosing a donkey, Jesus fulfills the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9 and shows that he does not come to make war on humanity in judgment, but to save it by offering peace. It is a sign of the humility of the King of kings.

What does Jesus mean when he speaks of the grain of wheat that dies to bear fruit?

The grain of wheat buried in the ground represents the death and burial of Jesus. The fruit it bears is us: the great number of people who will be saved through his death and resurrection. We have no part in earning it, it is a pure gift of God's love.

How can God be said to have blinded the hearts of unbelievers?

The parallel passage in Matthew makes clear that it is people themselves who first closed their eyes and stopped up their ears. God then leaves them to themselves. As Blaise Pascal put it, God has given enough light for those who want to believe, and enough darkness for those who do not. The responsibility remains entirely theirs.