Palm Sunday Devotion — The King Who Comes Lowly

 

Palm Sunday Devotion — The King Who Comes Lowly

Scripture (KJV):
“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass…” — Zechariah 9:9

“And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.” — Matthew 21:9

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Meditation

Palm Sunday is a day of paradox—of triumph and tragedy standing side by side. Christ enters Jerusalem not as the conquering king men expected, but as the suffering King God had ordained. The crowd cries, “Hosanna,”—“Save now!”—yet they do not understand the salvation He brings.

The Puritans often emphasized that Christ’s kingdom is not advanced by worldly power but by spiritual conquest. Here, the King comes “lowly,” not to overthrow Rome, but to overthrow sin. He rides not a war horse, but a donkey—declaring that His mission is peace through sacrifice.

How searching this is to the heart. Many will praise Christ when He meets their expectations, yet turn from Him when He confronts their sin. The same voices that cried “Hosanna” would soon cry “Crucify Him.” Why? Because they desired a Savior who would deliver them from circumstances, not from their corruption.

Thomas Watson wrote, “Christ is never fully prized, till sin is truly hated.” The crowd loved the idea of a King—but not the reality of His cross.

Palm Sunday calls us to examine: Do we receive Christ as He is, or only as we wish Him to be? He comes not merely to comfort, but to rule; not merely to bless, but to cleanse.

This King still comes—lowly in the preaching of the Word, riding as it were into the soul. Blessed are those who receive Him not with shallow praise, but with surrendered hearts.

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Personal Reflection

Consider your own cries of “Hosanna.” Do you seek Christ chiefly for what He can give, or for who He is? When He confronts sin, pride, or idols, do you still welcome Him?

Reflect on areas where you resist His kingship. True discipleship is not waving palm branches—it is bowing the knee.

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Prayer

O Lord Jesus Christ,
Thou righteous and lowly King, I confess that my heart is often like the crowd—quick to praise, yet slow to submit. I cry “Hosanna,” yet resist Thy rule. Forgive me for desiring a Savior on my own terms.

Come into my heart, not as I would have Thee, but as Thou art—holy, sovereign, and full of grace. Subdue my sin, humble my pride, and make me willing in the day of Thy power.

Let me not turn from Thee when the cross appears, but follow Thee in faith and obedience. May my worship be sincere, my repentance deep, and my love steadfast.

Blessed art Thou, O King who comes in the name of the Lord. Reign in me now and forever.
Amen.