Devotional: Palm Sunday

Read: Matthew 21:1-11

Palm Sunday hits different when you realize Jesus didn’t come to meet your expectations, but He came to exceed them.

Palm Sunday was a moment packed with tension, hope, misunderstanding, and movement.The people were shouting Hosanna, waving palms, and hyped that Jesus was riding into Jerusalem. They wanted a king who would flip the system, overthrow Rome, and set their world right—on their terms, and in their understanding.

But here’s the truth:Jesus didn’t come to meet their expectations. He came to reveal who He truly was. And for a lot of them, that was a problem.

Palm Sunday reminds us how easy it is to praise Jesus with our lips while still holding on to our own ideas of what He should do.We celebrate Him—hoping He’ll bless our plans, fight our battles, and show up in our timing.But what happens when He doesn’t?

What happens when Jesus doesn’t come the way we want—but comes the way we need?

This moment is about more than a shout. It’s about surrender. And if we’re being honest, it’s easier to wave palms than it is to lay down pride. It's easier to praise God on the outside, and neglect the issues on the inside. But if you really want to walk with Him… it starts with letting go of who you thought He had to be, and embracing who He actually is.

With that in mind, here are some reflections that have been sitting heavy on my heart:

1. Hosanna isn’t just a shout, it’s a surrender.

2. Don’t let your expectations become your god because when they do, you might miss what’s really holding you back, and overlook the deliverance you truly need.

3. God is a deliverer,  but God may not deliver according to your expectations.

4. Jesus is worthy, not because He met your expectations, but because He revealed who He is.

5. Your life can either fulfill God’s Word or people’s expectations. You can’t do both. Both paths involve failure, but only one leads to fulfillment.

6. Worship isn’t just about your motivation, it’s about your motives. Check your heart, not just your hype.

7. In a world that tries to mold you, pressure you, and define you, stay true to who God called you to be.

8. Don’t let the noise of war around you drown out the peace within you, or the peace God wants to bring through you.

9. Not every battle is yours to fight. Some things don’t call for warfare, just wisdom.

10. In a world where clout comes with arrogance and domination, remember: real power looks like meekness. Stay humble. The way up is still down.

11. There will always be tension between who the world says you are and who God says you are, but only one of those identities will lead to freedom.