A Heart for the Cross: Luke 19:28-40
Palm Sunday feels like a paradox—a day of celebration laced with sorrow. Pastor Dave led us into this tension as we continued The Heart of the King series, reminding us that the cheers of "Hosanna" were real, but so was the road ahead. Today, we don't just wave palm branches; we face the question: Do we truly have a heart for the cross?
Luke’s Gospel, which has taken us on Jesus' long journey to Jerusalem since chapter 9, brings us to this decisive moment. Jesus doesn’t stumble into the city by accident. Luke 19:28 tells us, "He went on ahead." He leads the way with deliberate, courageous love—knowing full well that celebration today would give way to crucifixion by Friday. Jesus enters Jerusalem not to be crowned with gold, but with thorns. Not to wield power, but to lay it down.
Pastor Dave walked us through the scene carefully:
Jesus chooses a donkey, not a warhorse—fulfilling Zechariah’s prophecy of a King who comes in humility, not domination.
He borrows the colt—the Creator of the universe, depending on the gifts of others, signaling that this kingdom would be built not on conquest, but on surrender.
The disciples and the crowd spread cloaks—simple, ordinary offerings laid down in hope, even if their understanding was incomplete.
The crowds cheer, singing Psalm 118—blessing the King they think has come to fix their world their way, not realizing that the salvation Jesus brings would cost Him everything.
Palm Sunday holds up a mirror. The crowd celebrates—but they celebrate a version of Jesus they think they understand. When He doesn't meet their expectations, their cheers fade into silence. Pastor Dave reminded us: we’re tempted to do the same. We love the Jesus who blesses us, but do we follow the Jesus who calls us to carry a cross?
This is the turning point of Holy Week. It asks us:
Are we cheering only when it’s easy—or walking faithfully when the road gets hard?
Are we worshiping the King we want—or surrendering to the King who is?
Are we willing to lay down not just our cloaks, but our pride, our comfort, and our expectations?
Pastor Dave highlighted Jesus' response to the Pharisees who tried to silence the crowd: "If they keep quiet, the stones will cry out." Even if human voices falter, creation itself would declare the glory of the true King. History has been leading to this moment. And Jesus—knowing the cost—keeps going. He walks the road toward the cross not because the people fully understand Him, but because His heart is set on love.
Palm Sunday is not just a day on the calendar. It’s a calling.
The King is here.
He has set His face toward the cross.
Now the invitation is ours: Will we follow?
This Holy Week, may we not rush to the empty tomb without first walking the road of surrender. May we kneel in humility, worship with our whole hearts, and live lives shaped by the heart of our King—the heart that chose the cross out of love for you and for me.
