Palm Sunday is the yearly reminder for me that God is not a God who operates in response to my expectations.

Every year on Palm Sunday, I remind our church that people shouting Hosanna were shouting a military, king-like chant to the Messiah who they believed

was finally going to overthrow the Roman Empire and set the people of God free. And the main reason

why the crowd grew in so much confidence during this time of Jesus' life is because it wasn't

that long ago that in the city of Bethany,

Jesus rose Lazarus from the grave.

And when Jesus did that, he had a huge following, and there was a lot of buzz around his ministry

for the three and a half years that he was going around Jerusalem and going around the northern

side of Israel and doing miracles and preaching and teaching his way of

life that was so different than the Pharisees and the Sadducees and interpreting the law in such a way

that's actually able to be participated in by common people. I mean, it's amazing what Jesus

brought to the table. But when he raises Lazarus from the dead, they're like, king, king him.

Like, let's crown him. And Romans, good luck, handling a guy who's got power over the grave.

Here he comes. Don't know why he's riding a donkey because you're supposed to be riding

like a triumphant horse, but it's okay. Donkey symbolizing his humility. And they're shouting,

Hosanna, save us now. And on Jesus's mind

is Calvary. They're thinking about being delivered from their problems and their government

that's so oppressive. And Jesus is thinking about delivering humanity from the power of the evil one and death itself.

And so Jesus, every year on Palm Sunday, I remind us, Jesus is more than willing to disappoint your immediate expectations in order to ultimately exceed them.

And there are people here, all kind of seasons of life, who that's exactly what this year

has been for you. Disappointed expectations. Things you want answers from God about things that

you're wrestling with individually. And trust me, I've got them as well. But every year when we get

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