March 29, 2026

John 12

What are some of your expectations? Is it too much to ask for a perfect vacation? If there is anything we all look forward to during the long winter months is a week away, far, far away. Where there are no bodies and no bothers. I have enough on my plate, I don’t need it on my vacation. I don’t want it. I expect peace and quiet. Is that too much to ask for one week of the year? Or two if we’re lucky?

Rock climbing or snorkeling? Sounds exotic, doesn’t it. I do neither. Aaron Millar was on vacation caught in hurricane in eye of the storm that changed his life. Those who went snorkeling that day never came back. Picture him on the coast of Thailand only to find a massive tsunami bearing down. The tranquil waves transformed into a massive wall of water on Christmas day 2004. A massive undersea earthquake off the coast of Indonesia, triggered the tsunami, one of the largest natural disasters in recorded history.  This sudden movement released an enormous amount of energy, equivalent to 23,000 Hiroshima type atomic bombs and set off a chain reaction of geological events. The waves reached 100 feet, traveled 500 miles an hour, affected 14 countries, giving little warning to communities and obliterating everything and leaving a trail of devastation. It resulted in over 227,899 deaths and left millions homeless. This was anything but a quiet and peaceful and restful and relaxing vacation for Aaron and his wife and countless others.

In our text Jerusalem was filled with vacationers, but soon they would be in the eye of the storm. They had come for the feast of the Passover. Always an exciting time, a time of celebration as God brought them out of the bonds of Egypt. The Passover drew near and this year was special. An extra level of anticipation. A celebrity was expected to arrive. Royalty was about to come. Jesus of Nazareth was coming and His popularity was because of His miraculous things He did. Lazarus was brought back to life (Think about it something similar to Mardi Gras. People on every corner, police making sure people are in control.) And one of your own, steps forward with power over death itself. So the Passover is here with Jesus, the One who can do it, defeat our enemies. And as He arrived they laid palm branches, they were prepared to meet their king. The text says they went out to meet Him with shouts of Hosanna, Save us now! why shouldn’t they have expectations. He has the power to help, save, comfort and destroy enemies. But little do they know they will be met with disappointment. Their hosannas were about to become a hurricane. A king who will restore health and wealth and provide endless bread. The crowds expect Jesus to fulfill their self-centered expectations.

He sure doesn’t live up to the hype. He comes in not on a chariot, a horse, flanked by soldiers. We have the closest thing to a king, that’d be the POTUS. He is flown in on Air Force One, then the heavily armored limo, called the BEAST, with an oxygen tank and spare blood flanked by Secret service agents, TV cameras, supporters lining the way as he comes into town. But Jesus? He doesn’t come as we’d expect. Just a rag tag followers as He sits on donkey. Jesus comes in weakness. Should the crowds feel disappointed? Should we?

In our sin, we are turned in ourselves, I want what I want and I expect others to comply. I want everything to go my way on vacation (and everyday), according to my plan. When others fail to meet my expectations we feel disappointment. Disappointment is a symptom of our sinful condition. We don’t get what we want. We don’t get what we expect. It seems actually, the more I plan the more my plans don’t come to fruition.

Zechariah said, Fear not daughter of Zion, your king is coming sitting on donkey’s colt. Fear not means do not despair. He does not come as a king of this world. He comes that we may fear not.  Ride on ride on in majesty, in lowly pomp, ride on to die. (LSB Ride on Ride on in Majesty). If a king on a donkey isn’t disappointment enough, think about a king that rides on…..to die. This king submits Himself to the kings of this world. He is stripped, flogged, dressed in a robe of purple. Then He is presented to the crowds, “behold the man.” That’s it. A lowly man who would ride on to die. For a king who held such promise to die such a humiliating death is a hurricane of epic proportions.

Fear not daughter of Zion, Jesus death on the cross is no disappointment. His death exceeds all of our expectations. Jesus death is complete 100% satisfaction. Jesus death satisfied the Father’s demands. Jesus death satisfied the penalty for our sin. His death satisfied for all of our self-centered expectations. His resurrection removes our disappointment. Our king is truly the One who hears our Hosanna. He is the One who answers our cry of Hosanna.

Fear not daughter of Zion, behold your king is coming. Your King comes to you as we sing, Hosanna, Hosanna, blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord. This is what we sing as we prepare to receive our Lord’s body and blood. Here your King comes to you, again in weakness. Simple bread and wine. Here your king comes to you answering your cries of Hosanna, save us. For in this meal, your King provides you with the f of s, l and salvation.

Fear not daughter of Zion, your king is coming. On the last day, your king will come again. This time He will come not in weakness but strength and power and glory. Your king who raised Lazarus from the dead, your king who raised Himself from the dead, your king will come again and display His power over death. For He will raise your body from the dead to life everlasting. Your king will gather you into His kingdom that has no end. His kingdom where your hurricanes become eternal hosannas.

Until that day we are gonna be faced with frustrations, regrets and letdowns. We are gonna be blown to and fro in the midst of hurricanes. We’re gonna live lives that are full of disappointments. Do not despair. Your King comes and He comes for you. Your King comes to live for you, to suffer for you, to die for you. Your King, Jesus Christ, comes to save you. Hosanna, Hosanna, blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Amen,