The story of Jesus’ grand, though unexpected, entry into Jerusalem demonstrates the distance between our expectations and God’s answer. The bad news is that the crowds are going to be disappointed because they expected a political savior. The good news is that their disappointment will turn out to be superficial as the kingship of Jesus is universal and eternal. Jesus’ arrival at Jerusalem is indeed the beginning of salvation. The cheering crowd had no idea what was about to transpire and neither did they comprehend the sacrifice Jesus was about to make on their behalf nor the transforming work that was about to begin. C. S. Lewis illustrates:

Let me explain. When I was a child I often had toothache, and I knew that if I went to my mother she would give me something which would deaden the pain for that night and let me get to sleep. But I did not go to my mother—at least, not till the pain became very bad. And the reason I did not go was this. I did not doubt she would give me the aspirin; but I knew she would also do something else. I knew she would take me to the dentist next morning. I could not get what I wanted out of her without getting something more, which I did not want. I wanted immediate relief from pain: but I could not get it without having my teeth set permanently right. And I knew those dentists; I knew they started fiddling about with all sorts of other teeth which had not yet begun to ache. They would not let sleeping dogs lie; if you gave them an inch they took a mile.” (Mere Christianity)

Jesus is the King of kings. He not only rules over all His and our enemies, He also rules over us. And so, as we praise the triumphant King, we must also bow the knee. He must first be enthroned on a pagan cross; and we must first go with Him there—the cross before the crown.

All glory, laud and honor,
To Thee, Redeemer, King,
To Whom the lips of children
Made sweet hosannas ring.

Thou art the King of Israel,
Thou David’s royal Son,
Who in the Lord’s Name comest,
The King and Blessèd One.

The company of angels
Are praising Thee on High,
And mortal men and all things
Created make reply.

The people of the Hebrews
With palms before Thee went;
Our prayer and praise and anthems
Before Thee we present.

To Thee, before Thy passion,
They sang their hymns of praise;
To Thee, now high exalted,
Our melody we raise.

Thou didst accept their praises;
Accept the prayers we bring,
Who in all good delightest,
Thou good and gracious King.