The Obedient King

After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it.’”

Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?”

They replied, “The Lord needs it.”

They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road.

When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:

“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!”

“Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!”

“I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”

Luke 19:28–40

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Today, we celebrate the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem—the King who comes in humility, not to be served, but to serve.

As we wave our palms and cry out in praise, we also pause to witness a special moment: our confirmees publicly confess their faith, joining the great procession of those who declare, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord.”

As we begin Holy Week, let us prepare our hearts to follow Him—not just in praise, but in the journey ahead.

1. The Lord Needs It (v. 34)

Jesus is on the final stretch toward Jerusalem. He pauses near the Mount of Olives and gives a strange instruction: “Go into the village… you’ll find a colt. Untie it and bring it here.” And when asked why, they are to say simply, “The Lord needs it.”

It’s an odd phrase. Does the Lord of heaven and earth really need anything? And yet, this is how Jesus chooses to enter His city—not on a war horse, but on a borrowed colt. Not with armies, but with obedience. Every part of this moment fulfils prophecy, just as the King was promised: “gentle and riding on a donkey” (Zechariah 9:9).

This is no accident. Jesus is in complete control. He is not being swept up in events—He is walking straight into them. Willingly. Obediently. The King comes not to be served, but to serve (Mark 10:45).

Psalm 118 echoes in the background: “Open for me the gates of the righteous… This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!” And so the gates open. The King enters. And the people rejoice.

This is what we see today: the Obedient King, riding toward the cross in humble majesty. Not a king who takes, but who gives. Not one who demands, but who obeys.

And He still calls for what He needs—not because He lacks, but because He uses the lowly for His purpose. Even a donkey. Even ordinary people.

But before we go there, we begin here: welcoming the King.

2. Blessed is the King (v. 38)

As Jesus rides into Jerusalem, the crowd can’t keep quiet. They spread cloaks on the road, they wave palm branches, and they cry out: “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!”

It’s a bold declaration. They’re quoting Psalm 118—a psalm of victory, a psalm for the King. They don’t fully understand what they’re saying, but they know something great is happening. Here is a King worth praising.

And yet, this King doesn’t enter like any other. He doesn’t demand allegiance like a tyrant, nor does He need to make empty promises just to gain our vote—instead, He invites faith. He doesn’t raise a sword—He lays down His life. He comes not to conquer earthly enemies, but to carry the world’s sin.

Still, the crowd gets one thing right: this King is blessed and He comes in God’s name. He deserves all honour and praise. The key difference? His path leads not to a throne, but to a cross.

Today, we hear that same declaration—not just from the crowd, but from these young people. Our confirmees aren’t shouting from the roadside, but standing before God’s people gathered here, saying with clear voices: “Jesus is the King. Jesus is my King.”

Unlike the crowd, we’re not just caught up in the moment. We all have the benefit of hindsight. We know the road this King walked. We know the cost of His obedience. And still, we choose to follow.

Our faith is not perfect, but it is real. A confirmation course doesn’t give you all the answers. If anything, it helps us to ask better questions. Our King is not distant, but near.

And today, these young people, join the great procession with all of us—not just waving branches, but walking by faith.

Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord—and blessed are those who trust in Him.

3. Even the Stones Will Cry Out (v. 40)

As the crowd praises Jesus, the Pharisees don’t like what they see. “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” they demand. But Jesus replies, “I tell you, if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”

In other words: the praise of the King cannot be silenced. Creation itself knows who He is. Even if every mouth were shut, the rocks would speak.

There is something wonderfully uncontainable about that moment. The King is here. The Word made flesh is riding into His city. And someone will give Him glory—whether it’s people or the pavement.

That same unstoppable praise echoes today. Not from rocks or roadways—but from the hearts of God’s baptised people and especially our confirmees. The world may try to quiet them. Fear may try to silence them. But by the Spirit, their voices rise: “Jesus is Lord. I believe. I follow.”

What we witness today isn’t a graduation—it’s a confession. It’s not the end of a journey, but a beginning. These confirmees join that long line of voices—stretching back to that first Palm Sunday and thousands of years before—a line of voices that will not be silenced.

They are not perfect, and neither are we, but we belong to the King who is. And He is not ashamed to call us His own.

So, young people, let no stone take your place. Let no silence steal your voice. Let today be the first of many days you cry out: “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!”

Conclusion

The Obedient King has come—riding humbly, praised loudly, walking the road no one else could walk. He is worthy of every voice, every heart, every life.

Today, our confirmees join the cry: “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!” But this call isn’t just for them—it’s for us all.

As Holy Week begins, don’t fall silent. Follow Him. Through the upper room… the cross… and the empty tomb.

The King has come. The King will suffer. The King will rise.

Blessed is the King—our King—who comes in the name of the Lord. Amen.