Sparks For Kids 101
Fire can burst from just one spark. This podcast is intended for busy parents to be used with your child and followed with genuine conversation to allow God to create a spark. In this discussion I share a scripture followed by practical questions and application.
Sparks For Kids 101
What Kind of King Do You Want Jesus to Be?
The moment Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a young donkey changed everything. While the crowds waved palm branches and shouted "Hosanna," something profound was happening beneath the surface. Prophecy was being fulfilled, heaven was holding its breath, and the world would never be the same again.
That electric moment revealed a stunning paradox. By choosing a donkey instead of a war horse, Jesus declared, "Yes, I am your King, but not the kind you expected." The people wanted a political savior to overthrow Roman occupation. Instead, Jesus came to conquer something far deeper—sin and death itself. He brought peace not through military might but through the cross. This radical departure from expectations explains why the same voices shouting praises would soon demand his crucifixion.
Palm Sunday confronts us with a challenging question: What kind of king do we want Jesus to be? Do we seek a savior who simply fixes our circumstances, or one who transforms our hearts? The beauty of Jesus's triumphal entry wasn't just a historical spark—it launched the greatest rescue mission ever. And remarkably, he continues that mission today, approaching us not with force but with gentleness, not demanding but inviting. As we enter Holy Week, let this truth ignite something within you—perhaps a deeper worship, a fuller surrender, or a willingness to trust him even when he doesn't match your expectations. Sometimes it only takes that spark—a king on a donkey, a shout of Hosanna, a heart that says, "Have your way, Lord."
Friends, I'm glad you decided to join me today on this podcast, and today we're going to talk about the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. This Sunday is Palm Sunday, as we celebrate this time that Jesus paraded, if you will, into Jerusalem. On the surface it looks like this is a simple parade People waving palm branches, shouting praises, laying their cloaks down but underneath the moment was electric. Prophecy was being fulfilled, heaven was holding its breath and the world would never be the same. Jesus is coming into Jerusalem just days before Passover. The city is packed.
Speaker 1:People are wondering is he the one, is he the Messiah? And then there he is, not riding a war horse, not flanking or being flanked by soldiers, but riding a young donkey. Soldiers, but riding a young donkey. So the question is, why a donkey?
Speaker 1:You see, in Zechariah, chapter 9, verse 9, it would say this Rejoice greatly, o daughter of Zion, shout, o daughter of Jerusalem. Behold, your king is coming to you, righteous and having salvation. Is he humble and mounted on a donkey? Jesus is declaring yes, I am your king, but not the kind you expected. And the people, they go wild. Hosanna. They cry Blessed. Is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna here means to save us now. And they shouted with hope and expectation.
Speaker 1:But here is the twist in the story they wanted a political savior. They wanted a political figure, someone who would overthrow Jerusalem, someone to overthrow Rome. Jesus came to overthrow something far deeper, that was sin and death itself. He came to bring peace, not through war, but through the cross. Think about it In just a few days, the same crowd shouting Hosanna Would be yelling crucify him. Why? Because Jesus didn't meet their expectations.
Speaker 1:And that makes me ask this question what kind of king do we want Jesus to be? Do we want him to fix our circumstances or transform our hearts? Do we want him on our terms or are we willing to surrender to his? You see, triumph and entry wasn't just a spark in history. It was a sort of great rescue mission ever launched. And here's the amazing part he still comes to do that same thing today, not with force but with gentleness, not with armies but with peace, not demanding but inviting. So here's your spark for today, friends. Jesus is coming and Jesus is the king who came low so he could be lifted up. Let the truth ignite something in you. Maybe it's a spark to worship more deeply, to surrender more fully to trust him, even when he comes in ways you do not expect, because sometimes it only takes that spark a king on a donkey, a shout to Hosanna, a heart that says have your way, lord.