The Crown and the Cross

Read: Matthew 21:1-11
 
          We have finally left the Wilderness Road, and you can feel the difference. After eight weeks of moving through the dusty, reflective path of repentance and change, which started on February 1st, we now stand at the gates of the Holy City. Back in January, when we laid our "Unshakable" foundation, we were getting ready for this moment. We have explored our inner struggles, faced temptations, and saw that the tomb of Lazarus was not the end. Today, our journey shifts from a private desert to the public square. We are entering the most important week of our spiritual year, and this Palm Sunday, our theme, "The Crown and the Cross," asks us to pay attention to the surprising and humble way of the King we have been following.
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          Matthew 21:1-11 starts with a unique detail that shows how intentional Jesus is. As He approaches Jerusalem and reaches the Mount of Olives, He sends two disciples to get a donkey and a colt. This is more than just finding a way to travel; it is a prophetic act. By riding a donkey, Jesus fulfills the words of the prophet Zechariah and shows that His kingship is not based on military power or violence. In those days, a king on a horse meant war, but a king on a donkey meant peace. After weeks of learning to let go of false idols and break the chains of injustice, we now see Jesus living out that message. He does not ask for a chariot or a war horse. Instead, He chooses a humble animal to carry Him toward His purpose.

          As Jesus enters the city, there is a sense of excited hope in the air. A large crowd lays their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from trees to make a path for Him. This feels like a coronation, but for a King without a palace, army, or riches. The people use what they have—their clothes and simple branches—to honor the one they hope will free them from Roman rule. They are longing for a crown and a leader who will bring back the glory of King David’s time and remove the occupiers who have made life hard. They expect the Wilderness Road to end with a throne in Jerusalem and a return to power.

          But the real message of Palm Sunday is that while the crowd wants a crown of gold, Jesus is moving toward a crown of thorns. The lessons He has taught us over the past weeks are now being shown in action. He accepts their praise, but He does not take on their political hopes. He knows that His "Unshakable" kingdom cannot be built by the world’s standards of power or success. To truly save the people, He cannot just rule from a throne; He must go to the cross to defeat sin and death. This is the heart of our faith: the way to the true crown goes through the sacrifice of the cross.

          The crowd shouts, "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!" It is important to remember that "Hosanna" is not just a joyful cheer. In Hebrew, it means "Save us, now!" It is the cry of people who are worn out by hardship and longing for relief and justice. Their plea is real, but they do not fully understand how Jesus will save them. They want rescue from outside enemies, but Jesus comes to save them from deeper struggles within. This gap between what the crowd expects and what Jesus brings is what causes the "turmoil" in verse 10. As He enters, the whole city is stirred, asking, "Who is this?" This is the same question we have faced throughout our journey.

          As we leave the celebration of the palms and enter Holy Week, we are asked to hold both the "Crown and the Cross" in our hearts. The journey we began eight weeks ago has brought us to this point, where we must choose if we will follow Jesus only when things are easy, or also when things get hard. The lessons from the wilderness were meant to prepare us for this week. In the desert, we learned to listen to Him and to carry our own cross each day. Palm Sunday invites us to join the procession with open eyes. We cheer for the King, knowing His victory may look like defeat to others. We lay down our cloaks, knowing He will soon give up everything for us. As we finish our journey through March and enter these sacred days, let us follow the King who chose humility and sacrifice, trusting that this is the only way to a truly "Unshakable" life.