Jesus is King - Whether you like it or not.

Have you ever met a king?

Most of us haven’t. Maybe we’ve seen royalty on TV or watched shows like The Crown. But real kings, the kind with authority and power, feel distant. And if we’re honest, we don’t like the idea of anyone ruling over us.

But Palm Sunday tells a different story.

When Jesus entered Jerusalem, He wasn’t just seen as a Savior—He was recognized as a King.

A Different Kind of King
When Jesus arrived in Jerusalem, He didn’t come in riding a war horse or chariot. He rode on a donkey. That might seem odd, but in ancient times, kings often rode donkeys into cities they had conquered. A donkey wasn’t a sign of weakness—it was a sign that the battle was over, the enemy was defeated, and peace had come.

The people shouted, “Blessed is the King of Israel!” (John 12:13). They believed Jesus was the one they had been waiting for—the King promised long ago.

And they were right.

Why We Resist Kingship
As Americans, we’re naturally resistant to kings. Our entire history started with a rejection of monarchy. We like freedom, independence, and personal control.

But here’s the truth: someone or something is always ruling your life.

Maybe it’s your job. Maybe it’s what others think of you. Maybe it’s your own desires. We like to think we’re in control, but usually, we’re following something—whether we realize it or not.

Jesus is the only King who rules in truth and love. He doesn’t manipulate. He doesn’t enslave. He brings peace and life to those who trust Him.

Jesus Doesn’t Become King—He Is King
Philippians 2:9–10 says, “God gave Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow… in heaven and on earth and under the earth.”

Jesus didn’t become King when the crowd shouted for Him. He was already King. The people were simply recognizing what was already true.

Psalm 103:19 puts it this way: “The LORD has established His throne in the heavens, and His kingdom rules over all.”

Whether we acknowledge Him or not doesn’t change His authority.

The Kind of King You Can Trust
God warned Israel in the Old Testament that human kings would take and take—from their land, animals, crops, and time. That’s still how most rulers work today. They require loyalty, taxes, and control.

Jesus is different.

He doesn’t come to take from you—He comes to give. He laid aside his glory. He came to serve. He gave His life.

Though he was meek and humble he was a conquering king. He conquered sin and death. He crushed the head of Satan. He calls on us to trust - depend wholly and completely in his life, death, and resurrection for our salvation. 

And when you do, you find that His authority brings peace, joy, and purpose—not pressure, fear, or guilt.

What It Means to Follow This King
Saying Jesus is King means more than believing a fact. It means living under His lordship

If you trust Jesus to save you, you can trust Him to lead you. That means surrendering your plans, your time, your choices—your whole life.

That might sound heavy, but it’s actually freeing.

We were never meant to carry the weight of running our own lives. We were made to follow the One who knows us, loves us, and leads us well.

What About You?
Are you living like Jesus is your King?

Maybe you believe in Him, but you still call the shots in your life. You decide what’s right or wrong, what’s worth your time, what direction you’ll go.

But here’s the thing: you can’t have Jesus as Savior and ignore Him as King.

He is both. And the more you understand His love and power, the more you’ll want to follow Him.

Don’t Wait to Bow
Everyone will one day acknowledge Jesus as King. That’s what Philippians 2 tells us. But the wise thing—the joyful thing—is to do that now.

When you submit to Him, you find that His rule isn’t crushing—it’s freeing. You begin to live the life you were created for.

So, as Palm Sunday reminds us, Jesus came not only to save but to reign. And when you follow Him as your King, you will experience real joy and lasting purpose.