The Triumphal Entry
“Our King has come—not with sword and steed, but with peace and salvation, riding humbly on a donkey.”
Pastor Brett Lutz’s Palm Sunday message focuses on the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, recorded in Matthew 21:1–11. He opens by reminding the congregation that Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Passion Week, the final week of Jesus’ earthly ministry that would end with His crucifixion. Pastor Lutz paints a vivid picture of how Jesus deliberately enters the city—not as a military conqueror, but as the Prince of Peace, fulfilling the messianic prophecies of Isaiah 62:11 and Zechariah 9:9.
Riding on a young, unbroken colt—a significant detail—Jesus demonstrates His lordship over nature, echoing His power seen in calming the storm (Matthew 8). In ancient Jewish culture, kings rode donkeys during times of peace, not war. Jesus’ choice of transportation was not only countercultural to what the people expected of their Messiah (many hoped for a political liberator), but deeply symbolic: He came not to overthrow Rome, but to overthrow sin and death.
The crowd’s response was both celebratory and tragically short-sighted. They shouted “Hosanna to the Son of David,” acknowledging His messianic lineage, and laid down palm branches and cloaks in a gesture of royal welcome. But Pastor Lutz underscores a deeper truth: though they quoted Psalm 118, crying out for salvation, they didn’t understand what kind of salvation Jesus offered. They wanted national deliverance, but Jesus came to bring spiritual deliverance—peace with God through the forgiveness of sin.
A powerful detail shared is that Jesus entered through the Lamb’s Gate, the entrance used to bring in animals for sacrifice during Passover. Pastor Lutz draws a profound connection here: Jesus, the Lamb of God, entered Jerusalem destined for the cross, the final sacrifice for the sins of the world. Though the crowds praised Him on Sunday, many of those same voices would be shouting “Crucify Him!” by Friday.
The sermon transitions into application by urging believers not to be like the crowd—easily swayed and misinformed. Instead, we are called to recognize Jesus not merely as a teacher or prophet, but as the Son of God, the King of Kings, and our personal Savior. Pastor Lutz challenges the congregation to respond to Jesus with lasting faith and genuine submission, not just emotional enthusiasm.
He closes with a reminder that our King has indeed come, bringing with Him peace, righteousness, and salvation, and that we now live in the hope of His second coming. Until then, we are to live in faith, praising Him not just with our lips, but with our lives.
