Lesson 2: The King We Didn’t Expect
Have you ever been caught up in the energy of a massive celebration? Think of the buzz in a city square on New Year's Eve, the roar of a stadium during a championship game, or the shared excitement of a huge parade. There's a tangible feeling in the air, a collective anticipation. That kind of energy gives us a tiny glimpse into a moment centuries ago that shifted history – the day Jesus entered Jerusalem for the last time.
It wasn't his first visit, but it was different. This time, the air crackled with tension and hope. For three years, Jesus had been teaching, healing, and talking about a different kind of kingdom – one with upside-down values compared to the world's. He had recently performed an astonishing miracle, raising his friend Lazarus from the dead, which electrified the crowds but also solidified the opposition from religious leaders who now actively plotted against him.
Jerusalem was already overflowing with people arriving for the Passover festival. Imagine a city packed, buzzing with spiritual fervor, nationalistic hopes, and the watchful eyes of Roman soldiers. Into this charged atmosphere, word spread: Jesus was coming.
An Unconventional Coronation
What happened next wasn't spontaneous, though it might have felt that way to the crowds. Jesus orchestrated his entrance with intention. He sent two disciples ahead with specific instructions: "Go into the village, find a young donkey tied there that no one has ever ridden, untie it, and bring it. If anyone asks why, just say, 'The Lord needs it.'" And just as he said, it happened.
They brought the colt to Jesus, threw their cloaks over it like a makeshift saddle, and Jesus began his ride towards the city. As he moved, the energy erupted. People spread their own cloaks on the road before him – an ancient gesture of rolling out the red carpet for royalty. The crowd of followers began shouting praises, their voices echoing words that fulfilled an ancient prophecy from Zechariah: "See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey..."
A king? Yes. But lowly? Riding a donkey? Not a warhorse? Imagine a modern world leader arriving for their inauguration, not in an armored motorcade, but maybe borrowing a bicycle or hopping out of a regular taxi. You'd wonder, "What's going on here? Is this person serious?" That's the kind of statement Jesus was making. His kingdom wasn't about military might or earthly power; it was about peace, humility, and a completely different way of operating.
The shouts continued: "Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" That phrase, "Peace in heaven," echoes the angels' song at Jesus' birth ("Peace on earth"). It bookends his public ministry, tying it all together. Heaven itself was invested in this moment.
When Stones Might Cry Out
Not everyone was celebrating. Some religious leaders, nervous about the implications of the crowd calling Jesus "King," urged him, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples! Shut this down!"
Jesus' reply was stunning: "I tell you, if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out." He was saying this moment was unstoppable, woven into the fabric of creation itself. Even the rocks knew who He was. This wasn't just a popular rabbi getting a warm welcome; it was the arrival of the King, prophesied for centuries, recognized even by nature. Hope caught fire in the crowd – maybe this was the one who would change everything. They were right, just not in the way they expected.
The King-Shaped Hole in Every Heart
Why did this moment resonate so deeply then, and why does the story still grab our attention now? Perhaps it’s because it taps into something fundamental within us: there seems to be a built-in desire in every human heart to worship a king.
Think about it. Across cultures and centuries, humanity has looked for rulers, leaders, and figures to follow and admire. It started in the very beginning, in Eden, where God was the perfect King. But when humanity chose its own way, that connection fractured. Yet, the longing didn't disappear. That deep desire to be led by something, or someone, greater than ourselves remained.
We see this ache throughout history. People kept hoping for a true King, a Messiah, who would make things right. And then, Jesus came.
The Danger of Counterfeit Crowns
But here's the challenge: this longing for a king, this innate desire to worship, is powerful. And if we don't direct it towards the true King, we will find substitutes. We will crown something else.
Look around, look within. Even in societies that prize independence and reject monarchy, we elevate things to royal status. We might obsess over celebrities, follow political figures with fierce loyalty, pour our identity into our careers, chase wealth, or even make our families or relationships the ultimate thing. As C.S. Lewis once suggested, “if people are forbidden to honor a king, they'll honor millionaires, athletes, or film stars instead. Our spiritual nature, like our physical hunger, will be served. Deny it real food, and it might just gobble poison.”
It’s like being desperately hungry and lost – you might eat something you know is harmful just to fill the void. Spiritually, if we deny our souls the leadership and love of the true King, Jesus, we end up serving something else. And these counterfeit kings – money, power, image, approval, politics, comfort – they don't serve us; we end up serving them. They can wear us down, disappoint us, and ultimately, leave us empty. Crisis often reveals these fragile thrones we’ve built our lives upon.
When the King Weeps
Amidst the Palm Sunday cheers, Jesus did something unexpected. As he overlooked Jerusalem, he wept. Why? Because he saw their hearts. He saw their misplaced hopes, their misunderstanding of true peace, and their impending rejection of Him – the very source of that peace. He saw the tragic consequences that would follow because they didn't recognize the time of God's coming to them.
He wasn't just weeping for a city 2,000 years ago. His tears extend to all of humanity that continues to miss Him, continues to long for a king while refusing to bow to the only One who can truly satisfy that longing and bring lasting peace. He weeps for those who sing praises but whose hearts aren't fully surrendered, who try to worship Him alongside other idols. He weeps for everyone searching everywhere but to Him.
An Invitation
So, the invitation echoes down through the centuries: Don't miss the King. If you feel that ache, that longing for something more, for leadership you can trust, for a purpose bigger than yourself – listen. Jesus is the One you've been waiting for.
He might not be the king you expected. He doesn't offer quick fixes or worldly power. He offers something far greater: humility, sacrifice, grace, true peace, and a love that led Him to trade a crown for a cross to bring us back to God. He's the only King who lays down His life for His people.
Are you ready to embrace that kind of King? Are you willing to lay down the counterfeit crowns you might be carrying and offer the throne of your heart to Him? He doesn't demand perfection; He simply seeks your heart.
Questions for Discussion
When have you felt caught up in a powerful moment of collective emotion or celebration? How did it feel?
Why do you think Jesus chose such a humble way (riding a donkey) to enter Jerusalem as King? What does this tell us about His values and His kingdom?
What does the phrase "the stones will cry out" suggest about Jesus' identity and the significance of that moment?
Do you agree that humans have an innate desire to worship or follow someone/something greater? Where do you see this playing out in the world or in your own life?
What are some modern-day "counterfeit kings" or idols that people tend to crown in their lives instead of God?
Have you ever realized you were "serving" something (like a job, a relationship, a goal, an image) that was actually wearing you down? What did that feel like?
Why is the image of Jesus weeping over Jerusalem so powerful? What does it reveal about His heart?
In what ways might Jesus be different from the "king" or "savior" people sometimes expect or want?
What does it practically mean to "lay down idols" and "crown Jesus King" in your daily life?
If Jesus offers true peace, why do you think people (including ourselves sometimes) struggle to accept Him fully?