Welcome to The Daily, where we go through the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every single day.

Today, we are taking a short break this week to celebrate Easter with some special devotionals aimed at preparing our hearts for this week in history.

Our text today is John 12:12-13

The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So 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 12:12-13

The Moment Everything Changed

Every great story has a moment where everything shifts—a decision, a revelation, or an event that changes the course of history. For all of humanity, that moment was the week Jesus entered Jerusalem.

Imagine the scene. Crowds flood the streets, waving palm branches, shouting, “Hosanna!” They believe their long-awaited Messiah has come to overthrow Rome and establish His kingdom. They expect a warrior on a warhorse. But instead, they see a man riding a donkey—a symbol of peace.

This was God’s plan unfolding, but not in the way anyone expected. The people wanted a political savior; Jesus came as the Lamb of God, destined for a cross. They shouted for a king, but in a matter of days, those same voices would cry, “Crucify Him!”

This wasn’t just a parade. It was a collision of expectations and reality, a moment that revealed who Jesus truly was.

The Unexpected King

Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem wasn’t just fulfillment of prophecy (Zechariah 9:9)—it was a defining moment. It forced the world to make a decision: Would they follow Jesus for who He truly was, or reject Him because He wasn’t what they wanted?

We face the same choice today.

We love a Jesus who blesses us, who comforts us, who answers our prayers the way we want. But what happens when He challenges us? What happens when His plan doesn’t match our expectations?

True faith doesn’t follow Jesus because of what He might do—it follows Him because of who He is.

Is Jesus Lord of My Life?

The crowd cheered for Jesus when it was popular—but they turned on Him when it became inconvenient. Many today do the same. It’s easy to praise Jesus when He aligns with our desires, but what about when He calls us to surrender, to trust, to follow at a cost?

Following Christ means letting go of our version of the story and trusting His. He is not just a king; He is THE King—the one who rules with righteousness, grace, and truth.

If you’ve never made the decision to follow Jesus, today is your moment. He’s not just a good teacher or a historical figure—He is the Savior who gave His life for you.

Just like the crowds in Jerusalem, we all have a choice. Will we embrace Him as Lord, or will we turn away when His plan challenges us?

Jesus came not to meet our expectations, but to meet our greatest need—forgiveness and new life. He died on the cross for our sins and rose again, proving He is the way, the truth, and the life.

If you’re ready to surrender and trust Him fully, pray this:

"Jesus, I believe You are the Son of God. I confess my sin and my need for You. I surrender my life to You as my Lord and Savior. Lead me, and help me follow You with all my heart. Amen."

If you prayed that, let someone know! Don’t walk this journey alone. Find a Bible-believing church, dive into God’s Word with me right here every day, and keep growing in faith.

#EasterDevotional, #JesusIsKing, #PalmSunday

ASK THIS:

1. How do my expectations of Jesus compare to who He really is?
2. Am I following Jesus for blessings or because He is Lord?
3. How do I respond when Jesus’ plan challenges my desires?
4. What does it mean for me to surrender my life to Jesus fully?

DO THIS:

Surrender your expectations and fully trust Jesus as your Lord and Savior today.

PRAY THIS:

Jesus, I surrender my expectations and trust in You as my King. Help me follow You fully, even when Your plan challenges my own. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

Hosanna.