The King We Need VS The King We Want

Dr. Spencer R. Fusselman

When we seek only what we want, we are dangerously prone to missing what God actually wants for us.

The scene of the Triumphal Entry in Luke 19 is one of the most misunderstood moments in biblical history. The roads leading into Jerusalem were lined with a massive, frantic crowd. They were throwing their clothes on the dusty road, rolling out the ancient equivalent of a red carpet. They were waving palm branches—the universal symbol of victory, triumph, and joy. They were screaming "Hosanna," begging for salvation.

Yet, as Pastor Steve pointed out, this very same crowd would be shrieking "Crucify Him!" a mere four days later.

Why the sudden betrayal? Because Jesus did not give them what they wanted. The Jewish people were looking for a warrior-king to provide political deliverance from the tyranny of Rome. But Jesus did not ride into town on a war horse; He rode in on a donkey's colt, the ancient symbol of humility and peace.

The crowds completely missed the purpose of the Messiah. They failed to see that they needed a Savior to deliver them from their greatest enemy: their own sin.

Theologian Voddie Baucham often addresses this exact idol of the human heart, noting that we naturally crave a God who will act as our cosmic butler, rescuing us from uncomfortable circumstances or oppressive political systems. But Christ did not shed His blood to merely make our earthly lives more comfortable. As Pastor Steve bluntly reminded the congregation: The government cannot send you to hell, but sin can. If you are delivered from a bad government but die in your sin, you are eternally lost. Jesus came to broker peace between man and God, not between man and the government.

Jesus demonstrated His absolute, sovereign authority by riding an untamed, unridden colt. Because He is the Creator of all things—visible and invisible, thrones and dominions—He has complete power over the wild and untamed areas of creation, and that includes the chaotic areas of our own lives.

But notice the mechanics of this submission: Jesus had to sit in the place of authority over the animal. You and I are created in the image of God, but for Christ to use us for His glory, we must dethrone our own egos, submit to His Lordship, and allow Him to take the reins. The people throwing their garments on the ground were symbolically submitting their identities and political expectations to the King. We must ask ourselves: Have we truly laid our coats down, or are we still clutching our personal agendas, demanding Jesus bless our plans rather than submitting to His?

When the religious elites demanded the crowds be quiet, Jesus refused to silence them. True disciples cannot help but rejoice and praise God because they have experienced the mighty work of salvation by faith. They have experienced the "Great Exchange"—where Christ took our condemnation and handed us His righteousness.

Warren Wiersbe profoundly understood the mechanics of worship, observing that praise doesn't necessarily alter our situations, but it radically alters our perspective. Pastor Steve echoed this perfectly: "Praise does not remove our trials, sicknesses, or diseases, but it shifts our focus off of Satan's distractions and squarely onto the character of God. It is the ultimate weapon of spiritual warfare". Nothing tells the enemy he has lost quite like the praises of God ringing in his ears.

The tragedy of Palm Sunday is the tragedy of unmet, earthly expectations. But the wonder of Palm Sunday is the breathtaking grace of God.

As John MacArthur frequently teaches, the Jews failed to reconcile the Old Testament prophecies of a suffering servant with those of a conquering king, missing the reality that the Messiah had to endure the cross before He could wear the crown. Jesus willingly rode into Jerusalem, fully knowing He would be betrayed, scourged, and crucified. He knew the cost of the Great Exchange was His own life, yet He paid it freely so we could receive the gift of justification.

We must thank God that Jesus came the first time in humility, riding a colt, to offer salvation and peace. But make no mistake: He is coming back. And when He returns, He will not be riding a donkey. Revelation 19 tells us the skies will split, and the King of Kings will descend on a white horse. His eyes will be like fire, He will rule with a rod of iron, and He will tread the winepress of the wrath of Almighty God.

Blessed are those who receive Him as Savior in His first advent. Have you accepted His free gift?

Dethrone Your Agenda:
Identify one specific area of your life (finances, relationships, career) where you have been acting as the authority. Confess this to God and consciously submit that area to His Lordship today.

Audit Your Political Hope:
Evaluate your emotional reaction to the news and government. Remind yourself that no government can save your soul, nor can it send you to hell. Shift your ultimate hope back to the finished work of Christ.

Deploy Praise in the Pain:
When you face a frustrating or painful circumstance this week, do not let Satan distract you with complaining. Pause and out loud, praise God for what He has done, is doing, and will do, to intentionally shift your perspective.

Lay Down Your Coat:
The laying down of garments symbolized surrendering personal identity and expectations. Write down an expectation you have for how your life "should" go, literally crumple the paper, and throw it away as an act of surrendering it to the King.

Share the King of Kings:
Read Revelation 19:11-16. Let the sobering reality of Christ's return in judgment fuel your urgency to share the free gift of salvation with a lost friend, coworker, or family member this week