SPB Sermons || The King Has Come || Palm Sunday || Luke 19:28-40

The King Has Come – Palm Sunday at SPB

On Palm Sunday, we stepped into Luke 19:28–40 and into the streets of a city full of noise, tension, and expectation. It was Jerusalem then — it is Belfast now. In his sermon, Rev. Andrew Irwin reminded us that the King we proclaim is not the kind we expect. He doesn’t ride in with fanfare or force but with humility, peace, and purpose.

The city of Jerusalem was packed to the brim. The great Passover celebration was at hand, and the people of God were remembering a story of freedom and rescue while still living under Roman occupation. The air was thick with anticipation. Into that atmosphere, Jesus rides — on a donkey. Not a war horse. Not with soldiers. But with disciples and borrowed cloaks.

As the crowd shouts praise and throws their coats on the road, we’re reminded that they had the right words — “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” — but the wrong understanding. They expected political change. Jesus came to deal with something far deeper: the sin, brokenness, and eternal need of every human heart.

Rev. Irwin drew us to consider our own expectations of Jesus. Do we still try to make him fit our desires and needs — someone who helps, who improves, but never interrupts? Or do we see him for who he is: the King who comes not to be admired, but to be followed? The King who goes not to a throne, but to a cross?

This King rides into our city, into our lives, not to impress but to save. And if we don’t recognise him, Jesus says, even the stones will cry out. We are called to be a people of praise, a people who bear witness, a people who speak of him in the midst of the noise and the normal of life. Because he is the King we need — even if we weren't looking for him.

If you missed the message or would like to hear it again, you can listen below:

Join Us for Holy Week

As we walk through Holy Week together, we invite you to join us in worship and reflection as we prepare for Easter:

Wednesday 16 April, 7:30pm – Holy Week Evening Worship
Friday 18 April, 7:30pm – Good Friday Communion Service
Sunday 20 April, 10:30am – Easter Sunday Family Celebration

All services will take place at St Paul’s & St Barnabas, 208 York Street, Belfast. Whether you’ve been with us many times or are stepping in for the first time, you will be most welcome.

For more information or to get in touch, visit www.spbbelfast.church.

For Jesus & Our City

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