Responding to Jesus: The King Reveales Himself

Celebrating Jesus is not the same thing as following Him. Enthusiasm for Jesus is not the same as faith in Him. Jesus drew a celebratory crowd on Palm Sunday, entering Jerusalem to a loud, enthusiastic chorus: "Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!" Mark 11:9 (NKJV) Then Jesus went to the temple, saw dead religion encased there as in a tomb, and He wept over the city. Why? Dead religion sometimes sings of Jesus, applauds Him when expectations are being met, and even professes His name. Mark 11 reminds us that Jesus did not come to be admired, but to die for sinners who will trust in Him as Savior and live with Him enthroned on their hearts as Lord.