The King We Didn't Expect

The King We Didn't Expect

From Pastor Lonnie by Rev. Dr. Lonnie Richardson

March 30, 2026 · 24 min

About this episode

Pastor Lonnie discusses the contrast between the crowd's expectations of Jesus as a powerful king and his humble arrival, emphasizing the importance of trusting in his true character.

Palm Sunday highlights the gap between what people expected and what Jesus came to do. The crowd wanted a powerful king to fix their problems, but Jesus arrived humbly on a donkey, showing his mission was to change hearts, not take control. That same tension remains today. We often want a Jesus who aligns with our preferences and operates on our schedule. Like the crowd, we celebrate when things go right but struggle when they don’t. Their shift from “Hosanna” to rejection shows how fragile that kind of faith can be. Jesus revealed a different kind of strength—choosing love over control, forgiveness over revenge, and sacrifice over status. His path led to the cross, addressing our deepest needs. The question is simple: will we follow Jesus for who he is, or just for what we want from him? This message by Pastor Lonnie calls us to trust his character and believe his love brings lasting change.

People in this episode

Host: Rev. Dr. Lonnie Richardson

Topics covered

  • faith
  • humility
  • expectations
  • sacrifice
  • spiritual growth

Keywords

  • Palm Sunday
  • Jesus
  • faith
  • humility
  • sacrifice
  • spirituality
  • expectations

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