Kingdom Aligned Expectations

Kingdom-Aligned Expectations
Matthew 21:1-10
March 29, 2026

Today we are commemorating Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. On face value, it seems like a bit of an oxymoron when looking at it from an earthly perspective. Jesus, coming in a as triumphant conqueror, but then He is killed just a few days later. Some triumph!

But we know that His death and resurrection was the greatest triumph of the ages.

However, those who welcomed Him as conquering king had different expectations.

Unfortunately, because of the sins of Israel, they lived in an overthrown city, taken over by the enemies of Israel.  Control of the city changed hands a few times, until eventually the Romans took control of it.

It is important to understand that the Roman rule was harsh and very oppressive. Israel longed to be set free, hoping the Messiah would achieve that. This brings us to the time when Jesus entered Jerusalem which was a very significant event.

There are two important perspectives I would like to address from this story. First, the perspective of the use of the donkey. And then the perspective and expectations of the people in Jerusalem. We will see how this is applicable to us as well. What are our expectations of what God is able to do for us and through us, and our expectations of God’s purposes and plans?

I. Why use a Donkey?

There must have been other options available. A conqueror or army general would come into the city on a mighty steed, the animal symbolizing power and authority. It is important to see that the use of the donkey in this situation was not a mistake, but very significant.

A. We are carriers of Christ

• Verse 5 – The donkey carried the King of kings into the city.
• Now I don’t want to equate anyone to a donkey, but there is a great principle in this. Ron Kenoly sang a song long ago, “If you can use anything Lord, you can use me”.
• God used donkeys a few times. We know that God used a donkey to speak to Balaam. Samson even used a donkey well past his prime to fight against the Philistines. In fact, he only had a donkey jawbone!
• Now the King of kings enters Jerusalem on a lowly donkey, a fulfillment of prophecy. (Zechariah 9:9)
• The donkey carried the one into the city who would carry the sins of the world. We are also carriers of Christ.

2 Corinthians 4:7, But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves,

• We do not have to have all the answers to the world’s problems, but we carry the God who has. We do not have to carry the burden of sins, but we carry the One who did. We are the carriers of hope. By surrendering to Christ to use us, we can introduce the world to Jesus.
• The focus stays on Him. We are just the vessel, and transport of the King. What a privilege, though, to be used by the King!

B. God uses the ‘insignificant’

• You might think you are not worthy to be used by God, don’t have the right social standing, cannot measure up to other’s expectation. God can and wants to use you. In fact, the Bible says the following:

1 Corinthians 1:27-28, but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong.

• If a donkey was a creature who was able to reason, do you think that donkey in his wildest dreams would think that he would be the “steed” the King of kings would ride on?
• God wants to use even those who look weak in the eyes of the world, because He wants to shame those in the world who think they are strong and walk in pride defying God. When He brings something beautiful out of the most unlikely sources, His name is glorified.
• It also gives hope to others who feel insignificant that they can be used as well.
• The beautiful truth is that this donkey had the honor to walk on the road of honor with the King, while glorifying Jesus. Your life will be a beautiful life as you lift up Jesus, as you become a carrier of grace.

C. Do not carry His name in vain

Because we are ‘carriers’ of Christ, there is a certain responsibility that comes with it. People will recognize us as the representatives of Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:20, Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ…

• When God gave the ten commandments to Moses on Mt. Sinai, one of those was, “Do not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.’
• Many people think this verse speaks to not using the Lord’s name as a cussword. Although this is true, it goes much deeper than this.
• Taking the Lord’s name in the root Hebrew word means to carry His name. When you then take it in vain, it means that you are not walking honorably with His name.

Illus. – If someone looks at your kids going by, and they know of you, they will say, ‘There goes Joe’s kids’. If they would then act improperly, they might say, ‘Joe’s kids have no manners.’ On the other hand, if they act wonderfully, they might say, “Joe has the greatest kids.” Your kids carry your name, and as such reflect your heart and character.

• It is the same with us. We are called Christ-ians. You ‘belong’ to who you are named after.
• Christ-ians belonging to Christ. If we then take up God’s name, associating with being Christ’s, and walk in a way contrary to the image of Christ, we are taking His name in vain.
• Ghandi famously said, “If it weren’t for Christians, I would be a Christian.” He saw in his lifetime that many talked the talk but didn’t walk the walk.
• Thus, we have a responsibility in how we walk the walk. The flipside is, that we also have an opportunity to walk the walk with Christ, being changed in the process and being a testimony of Him, bringing hope to others.
• Therefore, carry His name well, with respect and honor. Then people will say, “God the Father’s kids are amazing!”

II. Agendas Need to be Changed

• Shifting to Jerusalem, the people of Jerusalem had a specific need that was high on their agenda. They wanted Jesus to deliver them from Roman rule. It was their plan, but it was not God’s plan.

A. Let go of your agenda

• Many times, we have a certain agenda. Things we would want God to do for us. Just like Israel was crying out to God to deliver them again, we many times have very specific prayers and wants. Sometimes though, it does not align to God’s plan.

 James 4:3, You do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.

• Israel wanted their temporal lives to be set free from oppression again. On the other hand, God knew that the real problem was an internal/ eternal problem. They did not understand. They thought they had to be free from Rome, but they had to be set free from sin. They were praying the wrong prayer.
• God did not meet their immediate need, because He loved them and knew the real problem. Jesus even said over the city:

Matthew 23:37-38, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling. Behold, your house is being left to you desolate!”

• There was a heart problem that had to be sorted out. They actively resisted the word of the Lord, killing the prophets.
• In the same way, man is created in His image, but has become lost to other forces. People still resist God actively.
• After a while, the effects of a life without God becomes evident. People only see the effect and want that changed. ‘God, please sort out my wife. Please sort out my child. Please sort out my work situation. Please sort out this mess I got myself into.’
• It is like being bitten by a poisonous snake, and then just wanting a band-aid for the problem. The poison needs to be dealt with. Many times, the source of problems are symptoms of a deeper sin problem.
• God knew the right course of action. He knew the root of the problem.

B. Surrender to God’s agenda

• The fact that He came in on a donkey, a beast of burden, should have given them a clue. The donkey was carrying the king who would carry the burdens of the world. He would become the Lamb, the one who carries the sins of the world.
• Jesus does not come into your life on your terms, it is on His terms. Many people run to Christ to help with their problem on their terms. It doesn’t work that way. The Romans were a temporal problem in history. The deeper root that had to be dealt with was the eternal damnation of humanity. They didn’t see it.
• In the same way, one’s problem or suffering, though it may be hard, is a temporal problem. It might even be a catalyst calling and urging you to draw closer to God. The bigger issue is one’s eternal problem.
• When you are lost, you don’t need a problem defeater with a sword, you need a life redeemer.

C. The Eternal One enters

• Verse 5 – This scripture refers to Zechariah 9:9 which is fulfilled on the day of the triumphant entry. What is even more amazing, is that Jesus fulfilled the prophecy in Daniel 9 to the day. By this action He was proclaiming himself the Messiah.
• This is a very important point. Jesus fulfilled over 300 Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah. Some, like this one, were under His control, confirming who He was. Others were not under His direct control. Like the prophecy that the soldiers would cast lot over His clothes.
• Both types were affirming His claim to being the Messiah. Especially the ones He did not physically have control over, yet as God He supernaturally controlled the timing and fulfillment of each event.

Illus. To put this into perspective, it would be like someone prophesying 200 years before America was even discovered that there would be a town called Hillsboro. In the vicinity there would be many campuses of a company called Intel. They will make computer parts and processors. This prophecy would have to accurately predict more than 300 verifiable truths, like where the campuses would be located, who the CEO would be, and what car he would drive into the parking lot on March 30, 2026!… and many more.

• The fact that all these prophecies were fulfilled, is the greatest evidence that God is who He says He is. It confirms that the Bible is true. No other book or religion can claim that. In Isaiah, God says that it is one of the reasons for prophecy.

Isaiah 46:10, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, ‘My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure’. 

• This is very significant, because WHO He is makes it possible for Him to do WHAT He did.
• If we are grounded in our faith in WHO He is, the HOW and the WHAT is sorted out by itself.
• Verse 10 – Who is this? When Jesus enters your life, it will be evident. People will ask, ‘Who is this? What has happened?’ Your life will change, and it will glorify God. Hosanna in the highest!

D. He makes all things beautiful

• Because we have this infallible record of historic prophecy, we can also trust the Bible as a source of future prophecy.
• One of the great future prophecies also involves Jerusalem. We read about it in Revelation 21.

Revelation 21:2-8, I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying: “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God. ‘He will wipe away every tear from their eyes,’ and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away.” And the One seated on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” Then He said, “Write this down, for these words are faithful and true.”  And He told me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give freely from the spring of the water of life.  The one who overcomes will inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he will be My son. But to the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and sexually immoral and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death.”

• We are seeing these immoral things being celebrated more and more. One can hardly watch a program or a movie these days without being confronted with sexual immorality, sorcery, and idolatry. We need to stay awake and not be lulled into conforming and agreeing with these things.

Rev 21:26-27, And into the city will be brought the glory and honor of the nations. But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who practices an abomination or a lie, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

• The Lamb had to enter the first Jerusalem to be slain, so He could reign in the new Jerusalem and give freedom from all pain to those who accept Him and have their name written in the Lamb’s book of Life.
• This is God’s agenda. To set free from the suffocating rule of sin and destruction that follows. To set us free from the worldly flesh described in Revelation 21:8.
• To transform us until we are the glory and the honor of nations. What does that mean? People that have beautiful hearts, the uplifting, the faithful, the carriers of God, morally upright and people striving towards good in the world and the nations.
• But just trying to live this way is not enough. You cannot qualify through good works.
• Verse 27 shows us the criteria: Those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of Life. He IS the Way, Truth, and Life! Those who trust in Him have their names written in His book of Life.
• That is our final destination. The next time we enter the new Jerusalem, we will enter it with the king of Kings singing forever: Hosanna in the Highest!