“FROM PALMS TO POWER: THE KING WHO TRIUMPHS”
Text: John 12:12–19 & Romans 6:4–11
Introduction: A Royal Entry, A Risen Reality
We love a parade, don‘t we?
1. Mardi Gras Parade (New Orleans, USA)
Date: Annually, typically in February or March
Why it‘s famous: Known for its colorful floats, elaborate costumes, jazz music, and cultural
significance, the Mardi Gras Parade in New Orleans is one of the most iconic celebrations in the
world. It has a history dating back to the 18th century, and over time, it‘s become synonymous
with carnival festivities, embodying the spirit of New Orleans in all its vibrant, wild energy.
Highlight: The parades feature krewe groups throwing beads, coins, and other trinkets, making it
a fun and interactive experience for participants and spectators alike.
2. The Rose Parade (Pasadena, USA)
Date: Annually on New Year's Day
Why it‘s famous: The Rose Parade is known for its extravagantly decorated floats made entirely
from flowers, which gives the event a unique and picturesque quality. It's held in Pasadena,
California, and often serves as the precursor to the Rose Bowl football game. The parade is not
just about flowers, though—there are also marching bands, equestrian units, and high-profile
celebrities involved.
Highlight: The floral artistry of the floats, combined with the cheerful atmosphere, makes it one
of the most beautiful and highly anticipated parades worldwide.
3. Trooping the Colour (London, UK)
Date: Annually, usually in June
Why it‘s famous: Trooping the Colour is a military parade held in London to celebrate the
Queen's Official Birthday (even if her actual birthday is earlier in the year). It's a grand display of
royal pageantry, with troops of soldiers, royal family members, and magnificent horses parading
through The Mall in front of Buckingham Palace. The event also includes a fly-past by the Royal
Air Force.
Highlight: The red uniforms, pomp and circumstance, and the presence of the royal family
elevate this event to one of the most prestigious and iconic parades in the world.
4. Carnival Parade (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
Date: Annually, usually in February or March
Why it‘s famous: Rio‘s Carnival Parade is the epitome of energy and joy. Known for its massive
Samba Schools, Rio Carnival is a world-renowned spectacle that takes over the streets, featuring
elaborate costumes, dazzling floats, and infectious samba rhythms. The entire city becomes a
stage for celebration—drawing millions of spectators from all over the globe.
Highlight: The samba dancers, in their extravagant costumes, perform high-energy routines to
the rhythm of drums and samba music, creating an unmatched visual and auditory feast.
5. Chinese New Year Parade (San Francisco, USA)
Date: Annually, around January/February (depending on the lunar calendar)
Why it‘s famous: The Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco is one of the largest and most
spectacular celebrations of the lunar new year outside of China. The parade features an array of
traditional dragon dancers, martial arts demonstrations, elaborate costumes, and firecrackers—
creating a cultural explosion of light, sound, and movement.
Highlight: The golden dragon, often the highlight of the parade, is said to be the longest and
most spectacular dragon in any Chinese New Year Parade globally. It‘s an amazing display of
tradition, pride, and community spirit.
1. Victory in Europe (VE) Day – Winston Churchill, 1945 Most Joyful
Over 1 million people flooded London celebrating Hitler‘s defeat—Churchill gave the iconic ‗V for
Victory‘ from the balcony.
Impact: End of WWII in Europe.
Emotion: Collective relief and euphoria.
Legacy: A generation's exhale after darkness.
2. Fidel Castro’s Havana Parade – Jan 8, 1959 Most Revolutionary
Castro entered Havana after toppling Batista—cheered by 1+ million as a rebel savior.
Impact: Start of Communist Cuba.
Vibe: Revolutionary fervor.
Legacy: Cheers turned to decades of control.
3. Nelson Mandela’s Freedom Walk – 1990 Most Redemptive
After 27 years in prison, Mandela walked free—no army, no vengeance, just grace and grit.
Impact: Collapse of apartheid.
Emotion: Global awe and tears.
Legacy: Peace over payback.
4. Ayatollah Khomeini’s Funeral – 1989 Largest Crowd Ever
Over 10 million mourners flooded Tehran—so overwhelming, they had to re-bury him twice.
Impact: Religious-political upheaval.
Emotion: Frenzied devotion.
Legacy: Marked Iran‘s radical era.
5. Roman Triumphs – Ancient Rome Most Theatrical
Caesars paraded through Rome with gold, slaves, and glory—flexing their power after victory.
Impact: Imperial propaganda.
Style: Full spectacle, zero humility.
Legacy: Glory that faded.
6. General MacArthur’s Return to the Philippines – 1944 Most Prophetic
"I shall return" wasn‘t just a promise—it was fulfilled in boots and battleships.
Impact: Turned the tide in the Pacific.
Vibe: Righteous comeback.
Legacy: American resolve embodied.
Jesus’ Triumphal Entry – Jerusalem, 33 A.D. Most Iconic
A humble King on a donkey, hailed by crowds with palms—marching not to conquer cities, but to
conquer sin.
Impact: Eternal. Sparked the Passion Week.
Legacy: Launched Christianity.
Symbolism: Power through humility.
Streets lined with palm branches, children dancing, grown men shouting ―Hosanna!‖ like it‘s a
victory chant at a championship game. But this ain‘t no ordinary hero on a war horse. Jesus
enters Jerusalem not like a Caesar, but like a Shepherd King—lowly, yet laced with divine
authority. This is Palm Sunday. But oh, don‘t get too comfortable waving your branches—
because the path from palms to power goes straight through the cross.
Jesus doesn‘t just come to be admired—He comes to be crucified… and then to rise, breaking
death like a stick under His heel.
I. The King Who Shows Up (John 12:12–15)
―They took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, ‗Hosanna! Blessed is he
who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!‘‖ – John 12:13
Let‘s be honest—Jerusalem‘s crowd was hyped. They saw in Jesus what they wanted: a political
deliverer, a miracle-working celebrity. But they missed what He actually came to bring: spiritual
deliverance, a kingdom not of this world.
Observation:
Palm branches symbolized victory. In Jewish tradition, they were like waving flags after a war.
Riding a donkey? That‘s Zechariah 9:9 fulfilled: ―Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous
and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey.‖
In the ancient world, a king riding a donkey was a powerful and symbolic act—one that spoke
volumes without a single word. While kings and generals typically rode mighty warhorses to
signal conquest, dominance, and military strength, a donkey sent the opposite message:
humility, peace, and servanthood. When Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey, He was making a
deliberate statement—not just to fulfill the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9, but to redefine kingship
itself. He was declaring that His kingdom would not be built by the sword, but by sacrifice; not
through violence, but through victory over sin and death. The donkey, lowly and unassuming,
stood in stark contrast to the expectations of the crowd, who were longing for a political
liberator. Instead, they were met with a suffering Savior, whose path to power would pass
through a cross. This moment flips every human idea of leadership on its head—showing us that
the greatest King of all chose humility over hype, peace over power, and a borrowed donkey
over a golden throne. In this single act, Jesus revealed that real authority is not about being
served, but about serving others to the point of death.
Mark 11:1-6
1. Jesus is All-Knowing (Omniscient)
Jesus doesn‘t guess—He knows.
He tells the disciples exactly where to go, what they‘ll find (a colt that‘s never been ridden), and
how people will react. He even scripts the response: ―The Lord has need of it.‖
� Lesson: Jesus sees the full picture when we can only see the next step. You can trust His
instructions, even when they‘re vague to you.
� 2. Jesus is Lord Over All Things
He claims authority over something that wasn‘t His ―on paper.‖ The colt belonged to someone
else, but once Jesus said, ―The Lord has need of it,‖ that was enough.
� Lesson: Jesus doesn‘t just own ―spiritual‖ things—He‘s Lord over everything: your gifts, your
schedule, your stuff. Nothing is off-limits to His Lordship.
� 3. Jesus is Intentional with Every Detail
This wasn‘t some random animal grab—this colt fulfilled Zechariah 9:9, a prophecy about the
Messiah riding into Jerusalem on a donkey. Jesus is orchestrating a move that had been in the
works for centuries.
� Lesson: Jesus doesn‘t act on impulse—He fulfills promises. Every detail in your life matters to
Him.
� 4. Jesus Partners with Ordinary People
He sends two unnamed disciples on what seems like a menial task. No spotlight, no miracles,
just ―go fetch a donkey.‖ But that task became part of fulfilling prophecy.
� Lesson: Jesus invites us into His plan, even through ordinary obedience. No task is too small
when it‘s done for Him.
� 5. Jesus Moves in Peace, Not Force
The fact that He chose a donkey instead of a warhorse shows His heart. He comes as the Prince
of Peace, not a military conqueror. It‘s a symbol of gentleness, humility, and purpose.
� Lesson: Jesus is a King who comes low—not to crush, but to carry. He doesn‘t force His way
in—He invites.
Application:
Are we following Jesus for what He can do for us or who He is to us?
Are we crying ―Hosanna!‖ on Sunday and shouting ―Crucify Him!‖ by Friday?
This is a King who shows up not to overthrow Rome, but to overturn hearts.
II. The King Who’s Misunderstood (John 12:16–19)
―His disciples did not understand these things at first…‖ – John 12:16
Even the disciples were confused. They were walking with Jesus every day and still didn‘t fully
get it. That should humble us. Sometimes God is working out glory in a way that looks like
defeat.
Observation:
The Pharisees were frustrated: ―Look, the world has gone after him!‖ (v. 19) Oh, how right they
were. The cross was the magnet pulling every tribe, tongue, and nation to salvation.
Application:
God often hides power inside paradox. A donkey instead of a stallion. A cross instead of a crown.
A grave before the glory.
Just because it doesn‘t look like victory doesn‘t mean it‘s not victory.
The crowd saw a moment. God was unveiling a movement.
God has a glorious habit of giving instructions that look like defeat, foolishness, or even disaster
to the human eye—but in reality? They‘re a setup for His glory to explode.
� 1. Marching Around Jericho (Joshua 6)
Human POV: ―You want us to walk in circles around enemy walls? No weapons? No siege plan?‖
God‘s POV: ―Obey in silence, then shout in faith—I‘ll handle the walls.‖
➡ Lesson: Sometimes God‘s battle strategy is to make you look foolish before you get the win.
� 2. Gideon‘s Army Shrinkage (Judges 7)
Human POV: ―We had 32,000 men! Now we‘re down to 300?! We‘re toast.‖
God‘s POV: ―I‘m reducing your backup so no one can steal My glory.‖
➡ Lesson: God will cut your resources to prove He‘s the Source.
� 3. Moses Lifting a Bronze Snake (Numbers 21)
Human POV: ―We‘re dying from snake bites and you‘re raising... a metal snake?!‖
God‘s POV: ―Look up in faith. That‘s how healing comes.‖
➡ Lesson: The solution may look strange, but obedience brings life.
� 4. Elijah Soaking the Altar (1 Kings 18)
Human POV: ―You're trying to call down fire from heaven... so you drench the wood in water?‖
God‘s POV: ―I don‘t need dry kindling. I‘m not fire-dependent—I am the Fire.‖
➡ Lesson: God sometimes makes the odds worse on purpose, just to flex.
� 5. Virgin Birth of Jesus (Luke 1)
Human POV: ―A teenage virgin is gonna give birth to the Messiah? No way.‖
God‘s POV: ―Exactly. It‘s My story, not yours.‖
➡ Lesson: The more impossible it seems, the more undeniable He becomes.
✝ 6. The Cross of Christ (1 Corinthians 1:18)
Human POV: ―Your King died? On a Roman torture device? That‘s game over.‖
God‘s POV: ―That was checkmate on sin, death, and the devil.‖
➡ Lesson: What looked like defeat was the doorway to eternal victory.
� Summary:
God often writes His biggest victories in ink that looks like weakness, weirdness, or loss to us.
Why?
So when the glory falls, no one else can take credit.
The pattern is clear:
When man sees defeat, God sees a stage.
When the situation looks like a joke, heaven‘s already preparing the punchline.
III. The King Who Transforms (Romans 6:4–11)
Let‘s fast-forward from palms to power. Paul gives us the full gospel implications:
―We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was
raised from the dead… we too might walk in newness of life.‖ – Romans 6:4
From the cradle to the cross to the crypt to the crown—Jesus is not just a King who conquers…
He‘s a King who transforms.
Observation:
When Jesus died, we died with Him.
When He rose, we rose with Him.
When He reigns, we reign under Him.
Romans 6 isn‘t just theology—it‘s your biography.
Your old self? Dead and buried.
Your new self? Alive in Christ.
You don‘t fight for victory—you fight from it.
People in the Bible Who Were Transformed by God
1. Paul (formerly Saul)
Past life: Christian killer. Religious extremist. A one-man persecution machine.
Transformation moment: Knocked off his high horse (literally) on the road to Damascus (Acts 9).
New life: Apostle, missionary, New Testament author. Preached the faith he once tried to
destroy.
Lesson: No one is too far gone for grace. God doesn‘t just forgive your past—He recycles it into
purpose.
2. Manasseh (2 Chronicles 33)
Past life: One of the worst kings in Judah. Built altars to Baal, practiced witchcraft, sacrificed his
own son in fire.
Transformation moment: Taken captive, thrown into prison, cried out to God.
New life: God heard him, restored him, and Manasseh removed idols and turned back to God.
Lesson: God‘s mercy runs deeper than your rebellion. If He can redeem Manasseh, He can
redeem anyone.
3. Matthew (the Tax Collector)
Past life: A traitor to his people. Worked for the Romans, extorting his own folks for profit.
Transformation moment: Jesus walks by and says, ―Follow Me.‖ That was all it took (Matthew
9:9).
New life: Became one of the 12 disciples, wrote the Gospel of Matthew.
Lesson: One word from Jesus can rewrite your resume.
4. Mary Magdalene
Past life: Possessed by seven demons. A woman with a dark, broken background (Luke 8:2).
Transformation moment: Jesus delivered her—completely.
New life: Became one of His most faithful followers, was the first witness of the resurrection.
Lesson: Jesus doesn‘t just set you free—He makes you first in line to witness His glory.
5. Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10)
Past life: A tax collector—and not just any tax collector, but a chief tax collector. This meant he
was not only collecting taxes for the oppressive Roman Empire, but also cheating people out of
their money, enriching himself at their expense. He was a social outcast, seen as a traitor and a
sinner.
Transformation moment: When Jesus passed through Jericho, Zacchaeus, desperate to see Him,
climbed a tree. Jesus noticed him, called him down, and said, ―I must stay at your house today.‖
Zacchaeus was moved by Jesus‘ love and acceptance.
New life: Zacchaeus immediately repented, promising to give half his wealth to the poor and pay
back four times what he had stolen. Jesus declared, ―Today salvation has come to this house.‖
Lesson: Jesus sees us as more than our sin and social standing. His love has the power to turn
the greedy into the generous and the outsider into the insider of His kingdom. Zacchaeus shows
us that true transformation happens when we encounter Jesus—He doesn‘t just call us out, He
calls us in.
Application:
Stop digging up your old life. It‘s dead and gone.
Walk like someone raised. Talk like someone free. Live like someone loved.
1. Charles Spurgeon (1834–1892)
Past life: Charles Spurgeon was raised in a Christian home, but for much of his youth, he
struggled with spiritual confusion and doubt. He even experienced bouts of depression and a lack
of assurance about his salvation.
Transformation moment: At the age of 15, Spurgeon heard a sermon in a small Methodist chapel
where the preacher simply pointed to the words of Isaiah 45:22, ―Look unto Me, and be ye
saved, all the ends of the earth.‖ This simple message hit Spurgeon with power, and he turned
to Christ for salvation.
New life: Spurgeon became one of the most famous Baptist preachers of all time, known for his
preaching, theological insight, and evangelistic zeal. His ministry at the Metropolitan Tabernacle
in London is legendary, and he reached thousands with the message of salvation through faith in
Jesus Christ.
➡ Lesson: Even those raised in the faith can experience a life-changing encounter with God.
Spurgeon‘s transformation teaches us the power of God's Word to pierce through confusion and
doubt, bringing clarity and assurance.
2. John Bunyan (1628–1688)
Past life: John Bunyan was a young man of wild habits. He was involved in immorality and spent
much of his early life rejecting God. He was a soldier during the English Civil War and later
imprisoned for preaching without a license, as it was illegal at the time to preach without state
approval.
Transformation moment: Bunyan‘s life dramatically changed when he experienced a deep sense
of conviction over his sin. In prison, he began to deeply reflect on his need for Christ and his
inability to save himself. He had a profound encounter with God's grace, leading him to genuine
conversion.
New life: While imprisoned, Bunyan wrote The Pilgrim's Progress, one of the most influential
Christian books of all time. He became a Baptist preacher and continued to spread the Gospel
despite his difficult circumstances.
➡ Lesson: Bunyan‘s transformation from a man filled with worldly vices to one of the greatest
theologians in Christian history shows that God‘s grace can break through the hardest hearts—
and even prison walls can‘t stop a life dedicated to God.
3. George Whitfield (1714–1770)
Past life: Though not technically a Baptist himself, Whitfield‘s ministry had a profound influence
on the Great Awakening in America, and he worked alongside many Baptist preachers of his
time. Whitfield was known for his dramatic preaching style and deep commitment to evangelism,
but he struggled with personal spiritual doubt and a lack of assurance early on in his life.
Transformation moment: Whitfield came to a personal, life-changing realization of salvation by
grace through faith alone—a belief that aligned with Baptist teachings. His deep theological
understanding led him to embrace the idea of personal conversion and a deep relationship with
God.
New life: Whitfield became one of the greatest evangelists in history, preaching to thousands and
traveling across America and England, spreading the message of salvation through Christ alone.
His ministry sparked the Great Awakening, and many Baptist churches grew as a result.
➡ Lesson: Whitfield's journey shows that conversion isn‘t just a one-time event, but a life of
growing assurance in God's grace. His powerful preaching ignited spiritual revival and changed
the landscape of Christianity.
4. William Carey (1761–1834)
Past life: William Carey was born into a poor family and had limited formal education. He was
initially a cobbler, and his early life was marked by struggle and poverty. He was passionate
about the Bible and went through a deep personal conversion that radically altered his
perspective on life and mission.
Transformation moment: Carey had a deep sense of calling to take the Gospel to people who
had never heard of Jesus. His understanding of Baptist mission theology—especially the belief in
personal responsibility to reach the lost—drove him to dedicate his life to foreign missions.
New life: Carey went to India, where he became known as the Father of Modern Missions. He
translated the Bible into several languages and changed the course of missionary work through
his writings, translations, and his commitment to bringing the Gospel to the world.
➡ Lesson: William Carey‘s transformation from a humble cobbler to one of the most influential
missionaries of all time shows that God can use anyone, no matter their background, for His
global purposes.
5. Adoniram Judson (1788–1850)
Past life: Like Carey, Adoniram Judson was born into a Christian family and was well-educated.
However, he initially went through a period of spiritual questioning, and at one point, he was
even an agnostic before coming to a saving faith in Christ.
Transformation moment: Judson was profoundly impacted by the gospel‘s call to reach the
unreached. This personal transformation led him to Baptist convictions, and he eventually went
to Burma (now Myanmar) to become a missionary.
New life: Judson became the first American to translate the Bible into Burmese, and his ministry
saw the growth of the Baptist Church in Burma. Despite facing hardship, illness, and loss, he
faithfully spread the Gospel and was instrumental in reaching the Burmese people.
➡ Lesson: Judson‘s transformation shows how God uses personal conviction and calling to
drive people to take radical steps of faith, no matter the cost, to spread His message of
salvation.
6. John P. & Betty Stam (1906–1934)
Past life: John and Betty Stam were young American missionaries who felt God‘s call to serve in
China in the 1930s. John had been raised in a Christian home, while Betty was a committed
follower of Christ.
Transformation moment: Both John and Betty‘s deep personal commitment to God led them to
give up everything for the mission field, even during a time when China was torn by civil unrest.
New life: Tragically, in 1934, the Stams were captured and martyred by communist forces while
serving in China. Their death left a profound impact on the mission community, and their
faithfulness to God‘s call became a shining example of devotion.
➡ Lesson: Even in death, the Stams' lives serve as an example of unwavering commitment to
Christ, and their transformation reminds us that God uses all kinds of people—even those whose
lives are cut short—to glorify His name.
Conclusion: From the Street to the Throne
From palms to power—this King doesn‘t just pass through the crowd, He transforms hearts,
tramples death, and triumphs forever.
Let the donkey remind you: His power is wrapped in humility.
Let the palm branches remind you: The praise of man is fleeting.
Let the empty tomb remind you: His reign is eternal.
So today, we don‘t just wave branches—we carry crosses.
We don‘t just shout ―Hosanna‖—we live resurrection.
And we don‘t just celebrate Palm Sunday—we walk in resurrection power every day.
Invitation:
If you‘ve been living like your Friday never ends, let me remind you—Sunday came.
And if the tomb is empty, anything is possible.
So rise up, child of God. The King has triumphed.
