The Danger of Wrong Expectations

This sermon was prepared and preached by Pastor Mike Rose at First Federated Church in Des Moines, Iowa, on
Sunday, March 16, 2008.
Copyright © 2008, First Federated Church

Matthew 21:1-11 - 1Now when they drew near Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, at the Mount of
Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and
immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Loose them and bring them to Me. 3And
if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of them,’ and immediately he will
send them.” 4All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying:
5
“Tell the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your King is coming to you, Lowly, and sitting on a donkey, A
colt, the foal of a donkey.’” 6So the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them. 7They brought
the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, and set Him on them. 8And a very great multitude
spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the
road. 9Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: “Hosanna to
the Son of David! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!’ Hosanna in the highest!”
10
And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, “Who is this?” 11So the
multitudes said, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee.”

Conservative Bible scholars have differing views as to whether the events recorded in this passage took
place on Sunday or Monday. Either way, it was approximately one week prior to the resurrection of Jesus
from the dead.

Perhaps more important to today’s message is this: these events took place just three to four days prior to
Jesus’ arrest, “trial,” torture and crucifixion. Over the years, this event has become known as “The
Triumphal Entry,” and the day as “Palm Sunday,” although neither title is found in the Bible.

This morning, I what us to examine what took place on this day, to consider the aftermath, and finally
apply what we discover to present-day realities.

I. The First “Palm” Sunday

In the days leading up to Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, we find Him in at least 35 localities
performing miracles and teaching with power and authority that was unprecedented. All of this travel and
activity concluded with Jesus entering Jerusalem at the time of the Passover celebration.

Now, to understand where I’m ultimately going with this message, it’s important to be aware of the
political and social climate that existed in Jerusalem in those days. Jerusalem, known to the Jews as “The
City of David,” was under Roman occupation. They were governed by Roman politicians, judged by
Roman judges and policed by Roman soldiers. All of this domination was a great irritation to the Jews.
They saw themselves as the chosen people of God – by all rights they should be the ones in control of the
world!

So Jerusalem was a city looking for a Messiah (a Savior). They were in great anticipation of the Promised
One who would be their King and deliver them from this evil oppression.

Now Jesus enters. Perhaps He is The Promised One. It’s easy to see how they could get this idea because
He regularly demonstrated power no ordinary man could.

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 Example: Just a few days prior, Jesus was with His friends Mary, Martha and Lazarus. John 11 records
how Jesus, by His spoken words, raised Lazarus from the dead, four days after he had been wrapped in
burial clothes and was sealed in a tomb.

Then there’s “Blind Bartimaeus.” Mark 10 records that as Jesus came near, Bartimaeus shouted out,
“Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.” And again, by the power of His word, Jesus brought healing
to this man.

Israel was ripe for a Deliverer. Many talked of insurrection and cast visions of a new kingdom. Jesus also
talked of a New Kingdom, and He seemed to have something other would-be “deliverers” did not have –
power! Power to heal the crippled. Power to make blind eyes see. Power to feed more than 5,000 with
one boy’s lunch. If anyone was the Promised One, surely this Jesus was He.

So this was the political and social climate of Jerusalem. Is it any wonder then that as this miracle worker,
authoritative teacher and fulfiller of scriptural prophecy came riding into town, the crowd began to
reverence Him like an arriving king?

Notice verse 8. It says the people took off garments and spread them in front of the donkey. Others cut
down branches from palm trees and laid them in the path as He entered the city (John 12:13). And as
Jesus entered the people cried out: “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the
name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” John records that the crowd referred to Him as King.
“Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! King of Israel!” (John 12:13).

No wonder Bible commentators have labeled this passage “The Triumphal Entry.” This simple
carpenter from Nazareth was being proclaimed deliverer, conquer and king.

By the way, the word Hosanna, do you know what that means? Hosanna means save us – save us now!

Ironically, that’s what Jesus came to do. "For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.”
(Matthew 18:11). But the “salvation” Jesus had in mind was much different than what the people had in
mind.

And so we come to a critical turning point. With this celebrative scene before us, and the knowledge of
what happened just a few days later, I ask the question, “What happened?” Within four days, many of
these same people were demanding His execution. What happened?

II. The disaster that followed

Matthew 27:20-25, New Living Translation - 20Meanwhile, the leading priests and other
leaders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas to be released and for Jesus to be put to
death. 21So when the governor asked again, “Which of these two do you want me to release
to you?” the crowd shouted back their reply: “Barabbas!” 22“But if I release Barabbas,”
Pilate asked them, “what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” And they all
shouted, “Crucify him!” 23“Why?” Pilate demanded. “What crime has he committed?” But
the crowd only roared the louder, “Crucify him!” 24Pilate saw that he wasn’t getting
anywhere and that a riot was developing. So he sent for a bowl of water and washed his
hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this man. The responsibility is
yours!” 25And all the people yelled back, “We will take responsibility for his death—we and
our children!”

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How did we get from the crowd crying “Hosanna – He is King of Israel” to “Crucify Him” –- and
denying they proclaimed Him King? (John 19:19-22.)

It’s simple, really. Jesus and the crowd were not on the same sheet of music. Jesus’ definition of King,
Savior, Deliverer, was not the same as theirs.

What did the Jews want? They wanted an earthly king, who would conquer Rome and setup a new
empire. What was Jesus offering? A new Kingdom? YES! But, it’s full realization was yet future. He
came to offer Salvation? YES! But not from totalitarian governments, rather from the totalitarian rule of
sin. So when it became evident that Jesus had no intention of rising up and conquering Rome, the crowd
changed their mind about His rule over them.

What can we learn from this?

Application:

1. It’s dangerous to form an expectation of Jesus based on what we want, rather than aligning
ourselves with His expectations for us.

Israel’s expectations were based on their desire to be delivered from the oppression of the Romans, which
by the way, was a consequence of their past disobedience to God.

This same type of attitude continues in many parts of the Church. There are religious leaders and
movements who hype the name of Jesus, giving people wrong expectations of what Jesus wants to do in
their lives. They preach a pseudo-gospel that says if you follow Jesus you will:

• Never suffer sickness

• Never endure material want
• Everything will go your way
• As the best-selling author put it, “You Can Live Your Best Life Now”

And perhaps one of the most damaging things they teach is this: If these things aren’t true in your life,
then something is wrong with your faith. Like Israel of old, many of today’s “Christian ministries” are
singing from a different sheet of music than Jesus. They’re looking for Jesus to make their present
lives into what God says they will be when we are in His presence.

In His presence there is no poverty, pain, sadness, death, separation. We will walk on streets of gold, eat
from the Tree of Life and enjoy uninterrupted fellowship with Him forever. In this earthly life, however,
we wrestle with poverty, pain, sadness, death and separation – down here there are no streets of gold or
Tree of Life.

You say, “Pastor Mike, what’s your point!” If you come to Jesus looking for things that are for “there”
instead of “here” you are going to be quite disillusioned. And as for the teaching that if you don’t have
those things here, there’s something wrong with your faith, I ask:

• Didn’t the Apostles have great faith? Yet they suffered greatly and died as martyrs
• Didn’t the early Christians have great faith, Such faith that they gave their lives rather than renounce
Jesus? Yet many of them lost all material goods, even their families because of their faith in Him
• Aren’t there believers today who live in Islamic countries who have great faith? Yet they hide, risking
imprisonment and death to following the Savior

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If Jesus came to give His children a bucket full of health and wealth, then He certainly has failed
miserably. But that’s exactly the point isn’t it? Jesus didn’t come 2000 years ago to establish an
earthly kingdom. He came offering Salvation to the lost, spiritual healing to the broken, and the promise
that one day He will come for His own, never to be separated again.

If we embrace Jesus with wrong expectations, we may very well renounce Him when He doesn’t
perform according to our expectations.

2. It’s dangerous to accept Jesus as King for a day, rather than King forever.

On the day Jesus entered Jerusalem, the crowds called Him King. A few days later they rejected His rule
over them. I see this same type of scenario playing out in the Church today. I’m speaking of people who
proclaim Jesus King on Sunday, but then rule over their own lives the other six days of the week.

You say, “Pastor, wait just a minute, I resent that statement!” Jesus is my King and I’m proud to say so! I
should hope so, but let’s take a closer look to see what the testimony of your life says:

• When you face major decisions, do you seek God’s counsel, or do you just decide on your own what
to do?
• What about your friends and co-workers, do they know that Jesus is Lord of your life? Do they even
know that you are a Christian at all?
• What about God’s Pie? Is there an appropriate slice on His plate, or do you serve everyone else,
including yourself, leaving Him the odd man out?

Seriously, we need to take an honest look at our lives to see who is sitting on the throne, you or God?

Church, it’s time that we stop playing around. Jesus is either King of all, or He is not King at all. If He is
King, then He deserves our very best obedience, worship and respect.

Conclusion

The crowd in Jerusalem gave Jesus the royal treatment, but it was a one-day deal. When He didn’t dance
to their tune and give them what they wanted, they cast Him aside like a bum.

I wonder about us. Have we embraced Jesus with false expectations of physical health and wealth, and a
comfortable life, or are you on board with the spiritual transformation He desires to work out in our life?

Is Jesus King of your life for a day or is He King every day?

If Jesus isn’t King of all, then He isn’t King at all.

On this Palm Sunday, I encourage you to surrender all of your expectations and all of your days to Him,
for He truly is the King who saves.

The First Federated Church copyright, above, is for the sermon itself, not for any items quoted in the sermon, unless otherwise
stated. All quoted items are done so in good faith, and the source is attributed when it is known.

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