Jesus in a bottle (Part 6)
Sermon Notes
As we step into Holy Week, this message invites us to ask an important question: Do we really know Jesus for who He is, or have we created a version of Him that simply fits our expectations and comforts?
This week, Pastor John continues the "Jesus in a Bottle" series with a look at Palm Sunday, and the journey from celebration to the cross. It’s a powerful reminder of what happens when our view of Jesus is shaped more by what we want than by what He came to do.
Scripture Focus: Matthew 21:6–11
In this passage, Jesus enters Jerusalem, and the crowd greets Him with shouts of “Hosanna!” laying down palm branches in celebration. They’re recognizing Him as a king, hoping He will conquer their enemies and restore power to Israel.
But just a few days later, the same crowd is crying out, “Crucify Him!” What changed?
The Misunderstood Messiah
The people of Israel had been waiting for a Savior for hundreds of years. Their longing was shaped by oppression, hardship, and unmet expectations. When Jesus showed up riding a donkey, not a warhorse, He didn’t match their image of a deliverer. They expected a conquering king, but He came to conquer sin, death, and separation from the Father.
Many of us still fall into this pattern today. We want Jesus to fix our lives, solve our problems, and bless our plans. But when He doesn’t move the way we expect, we feel frustrated, confused, or even disappointed.
What Happens When We Treat Jesus Like a Genie
When our faith is transactional—when we follow Jesus for what He gives rather than who He is—it leads to:
Entitlement: “God, you owe me.”
Control: “If You don’t do it my way, I’ll take over.”
Idolatry: Loving the gift more than the Giver.
Confusion and frustration: “Why didn’t this turn out the way I thought?”
Disappointment: “This isn’t the Jesus I was promised.”
Just like the crowd in Jerusalem, we can praise Him on Sunday and deny Him by Friday.
From Hosanna to Crucify
This shift in the crowd’s response is something we all relate to. On Sunday we worship. By midweek we’re frustrated when things don’t go as planned. Pastor John reminds us that every time we choose selfishness, comfort, or sin over obedience, we echo that same cry: “Crucify Him.”
Hosanna means “save us now.” But what the crowd wanted saving from wasn’t sin—it was discomfort, oppression, and loss of power. When Jesus didn't meet those expectations, they turned on Him.
Setting Your Face Like Flint
Isaiah 50:7 says, “I have set my face like flint.” Jesus was not moved by applause—He was moved by purpose. As He rode into Jerusalem, He knew the cross was ahead. He stayed the course.
This week, we’re challenged to do the same. To set our face like flint toward Easter, knowing that difficulty may come, but the goal is not comfort—it’s Christ. When hardship hits, we don’t need to run. We fix our eyes on Jesus and move forward.
Palm Branches Are Temporary. The Cross Is Eternal.
Palm Sunday was loud. It was joyful. But it was short-lived. The cross, however, has eternal weight. The cheers faded, but God’s grace remained. We often forget that the Gospel isn’t about temporary blessings—it’s about eternal life.
God’s love for you is unshakable. It doesn’t change based on what you’ve done or how long you’ve struggled. It is steady, reliable, and rooted in His eternal plan. You are not a surprise to God. Your pain, your confusion, your sin—it’s not bigger than His purpose.
You Were Always the Reason
Jesus went to the cross with you in mind. If you were the only person who ever lived, He still would’ve gone. That’s how personal and intentional His love is.
The crowd wanted Jesus in a bottle—a fix for their problems. But the Father gave them something greater: a Savior with an eternal promise.
That’s why Easter matters. Not because of family gatherings, or traditions, or even church attendance. It matters because it marks the moment when God fulfilled His plan to bring hope, redemption, and eternal life through Jesus.
A Holy Week Challenge
This week, consider committing 15 minutes each day to reflect on Jesus’s final days. Fast one meal. Read Scripture. Ask God what He’s revealing to you and what He wants you to do with it.
Come ready to worship on Easter Sunday not just because He can bless your life—but because He gave His life. He’s not a genie in a bottle. He’s the Savior of the world.
And He’s worthy of your whole heart.