Palm Sunday: What Can You Surrender to Jesus Today?
Key Passage
“And when he had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples, saying, “Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ you shall say this: ‘The Lord has need of it.’” So those who were sent went away and found it just as he had told them. And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?” And they said, “The Lord has need of it.” And they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road. As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” Luke 19:28–38
Reflection
If Jerusalem was like a beehive, Palm Sunday was the moment Jesus stirred it. The last time He had been there, He raised Lazarus from the dead (John 11:43). By now, news of that miracle had spread throughout the city. To many, Jesus had become something like a celebrity—but His triumphal entry was meant to reveal that He was far more than that.
This moment, often called the Triumphal Entry, is recorded in all four Gospels. In Luke’s account, Jesus is welcomed by a multitude of disciples rejoicing, praising God, and laying their cloaks on the road as He rides into Jerusalem on a colt. The other Gospels add that people spread branches—specifically palm branches—as a sign of honor and victory.
Why such a celebration? Matthew and John point to the fulfillment of Zechariah 9:9: a righteous King coming humbly on a donkey, bringing salvation. Jesus was openly declaring His identity as the promised Messiah. As He later says in John 12:23, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.”
Jesus was on a mission to reconcile humanity to God (2 Corinthians 5:18), break the power of sin (Romans 6:6), defeat death (1 Corinthians 15:55), and set us free (Galatians 5:1). Nothing would stop Him. The hour had indeed come.
In Luke’s account, we see three groups of people and what they gave to Jesus:
• The disciples gave their obedience. They followed His instructions and found everything just as He said.
• The colt’s owner gave his possession. Though we know little about him, we see his willingness to release something valuable for the Lord’s purpose.
• The crowd gave their praise. By laying down cloaks and waving palm branches, they honored Jesus as King.
Each group responded with what they had: obedience, surrender, and praise.
In contrast, the Pharisees missed the moment entirely. Because they did not recognize Jesus as Lord and Messiah, they chose comparison, competition, and complaint over worship.
One simple phrase stands out in this passage: “The Lord has need of it.”
On this Palm Sunday, it’s worth asking: What is Jesus asking of me? What can you surrender to Him to be used for His purposes in this broken world?
Is it your time? Your talents? Your career? Your finances? Your knowledge or experience?
Whatever it is, don’t hold it back! Don’t hold back! Go all in! Release it freely—just as the colt’s owner did. When the Lord has a need for something and we willingly give it, He can do infinitely more with it than we ever could.
A powerful example of this comes from Pastor David Wilkerson, in The Cross and the Switchblade. He sensed God leading him to give up his evening relaxation time to seek Him more deeply. Out of that simple act of surrender, God called him to minister to street gangs— leading to the founding of Teen Challenge, a ministry that has impacted thousands of lives for decades. It all began with a willingness to give God what He asked for.May we be like the disciples, the colt’s owner, and the crowd—offering Jesus our obedience, our surrender, and our praise. And may we guard against empty religiosity that misses the heart of Christ.
Hebrews 12:2 reminds us that “for the joy set before Him, He endured the cross.” What was that joy? The joy of redeeming us, restoring us, and bringing us into a relationship with God, making us His children and giving us eternal life.
Psalm 18:19 says, “He rescued me because He delighted in me.” Let that truth sink in: Jesus delights in you. Because of that love, He went to the cross.
His triumphal entry was not just a celebration; it was a step toward the cross, where He would ultimately triumph over sin and death.
In response, may we give Him what He deserves, our obedience, our surrender, and our praise, not just on Palm Sunday, but every day of our lives.
Our Response
1. Identify areas in your life where God is asking you to walk in greater obedience to Him.
Scripture says that if we love Him, we will obey His commands (John 14:15). With this in mind, take time to repent from any disobedience. Pray that God would stir up in you a greater love for Him, and that you would be able walk in obedience in these areas.
2. Just like the colt owner who gave his colt for the Lord’s use, what is something God may be asking you to surrender to Him? In what way can you serve Him today?
3. Jesus’ triumphal entry was a journey towards the cross to lay down His life to save mankind. He is worthy of our praise. Today, spend a few minutes talking to God and thanking Him for how He chose to show you grace and lay down His life for you. This week, tell someone about what God has done for you.
Scriptures: Luke 19:28–38; Zechariah 9:9; Matthew 21:1–11; Mark 11:1–11; John 12:12–15, 23; 2 Corinthians 5:18; Romans 6:6; 1 Corinthians 15:55; Galatians 5:1
Doug
