January 11, 2026

Triumphal Entry

Mark 11:1-6

Introduction

We are a couple of months early for Palm Sunday, but the Sunday before Easter is called Palm Sunday. It is often referred to as the triumphal entry. It was one of the only times that Jesus allowed public prominent praise of himself. Jesus certainly is worthy of worship, but he often did not allow it, and maintained a low profile as best as he could. Jesus did not come to be lifted up as King, but came as a sacrifice.

I. The Preparation (Mark 11:1-6) #

A. The Disciples (1) #

i. The simple job #

• Go get a donkey… doesn’t seem like an important job, not glamorous

• For the fishermen, Doc, tax collector, seems out of place

  • Sometimes God wants us to do jobs that don’t seem suited for us.

ii. Submission #

• God is looking for servants who are simply willing to do whatever he would ask.
• Not a glamorous placement

B. The Directions (2-3) #

i. Jesus gives them everything they need #

ii. We have the Word of God… everything we need to get the job done. #

C. The Donkey (4) #

i. Prophesied #

Zechariah 9:9 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, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.

• • Ass = donkey
  • colt = young, foal = offspring

ii. Lowly – donkey is not as prestigious as a horse or camel #

iii. Borrowed #

• Matthew Henry points out, this was a borrowed donkey, crossed the sea in a borrowed boat, at the passover in a borrowed room, and was buried in a borrowed tomb. All point to the humility of Jesus.

iv. Never ridden (2, 7) – Miracle… Jesus, climbed on, and rode. #

D. The Detainment (5-6) #

II. The Praise (Mark 11:7-10) #

• Putting garments and branches down, was a show of approval

A. Humble (7-8) #

i. No saddle… just garments on the donkey #

ii. Paving the path #

• Garments were a frugal, poor attempt at paving the way for the King
• Not even having enough garments, they resorted to branches to make the pathway nicer than a dusty road.
• It was a spontaneous attempt at a grand entry, with little preparation.

B. Hosanna (9) #

• Hosanna – an exclamation of Praise to God
• Jesus was not just entering Jerusalem, but they recognized him as from the Lord!

Psalm 118:25–26 —25 Save now, I beseech thee, O Lord: O Lord, I beseech thee, send now prosperity. 26 Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord: we have blessed you out of the house of the Lord.

C. Heir (10) #

i. Jesus is heir to the throne. #

Isaiah 9:6–7 —6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

D. Hypocrisy #

• This same crowd in a week, will be crying, Crucify him!

III. The Purpose (Mark 11:11) #

A. Went into Jerusalem #

i. No Celebration or Greetings #

• Usually entering in such a prominent fashion would end with a celebration… this one didn’t.
• It was a spontaneous crowd praising the Lord.

ii. Week before his crucifixion #

• This entrance into Jerusalem, was enough to kick the Pharisee’s into action to have him crucified.

B. Went to the Temple #

• Jesus concern, was their worship of God.
• The temple that God had ordained, Solomon originally constructed, was no longer what it should have been.
• He later purges the Temple

C. Went out with the Twelve #

i. Came in with a crowd #

• He was the star!

ii. Went out with his own #

• Are you a fan, or disciple?
• A fan publicly praises God when it is popular, but a disciple sticks with him after all the public praise has blown over, and goes home with Jesus.