When Disappointment Meets the King – Palm Sunday Reflection
We all go through seasons of disappointment — moments when our hearts cry out, “God, why are You allowing this?” Today’s message began with that raw honesty. Disappointment is real. Doubt is real. But so is the hope of a King who sees, weeps, and redeems.
Our pastor led us through a powerful journey in Scripture: Zechariah 9:9, 9:16, Luke 19:28–44, Colossians 1:15–20, and Ephesians 3:14–21. Though written across centuries, these verses are beautifully connected.
In **Zechariah 9:9**, we’re told to rejoice — because a King is coming. Not the kind of king people expected. Not a conqueror on a warhorse, but a humble Savior on a donkey. The King of Peace.
In **Luke 19:28–44**, Jesus fulfills this prophecy as He enters Jerusalem. The crowd rejoices, but Jesus weeps. Why? Because they missed their moment of visitation. They wanted a political Messiah, not the suffering Savior. Their expectations blinded them to God's deeper purpose.
In **Colossians 1:15–20**, Paul lifts our eyes to the cosmic Christ — the One who created all things, who holds all things together, and who made peace through His blood, shed on the cross.
And in **Ephesians 3:14–21**, we’re invited into a personal response — to be strengthened by the Spirit, to know the depth of Christ’s love, and to be filled with God’s fullness. This is the comfort we need when disappointment tempts us to turn away.
As I reflected on today’s sermon, I was reminded of a moment from the film *Forrest Gump*. Lieutenant Dan, once a proud soldier, returns from war broken and bitter. He loses his legs and, with them, his sense of purpose. He mocks Forrest, he curses God, and he spirals in disappointment. “Why did you leave me like this?” he seemed to ask — echoing the same cries we often direct toward heaven.
But then, something shifts. Forrest, in his simple faithfulness, invites Dan into his world of hope. He offers him a place on a shrimp boat — a promise kept. And in that humble work, in that act of trust, Dan begins to heal. He finds purpose again. He installs prosthetic legs. He even finds love.
Dan’s story mirrors ours. From a place of disappointment and anger, we’re met by grace — by a Savior who doesn’t always answer *why*, but who offers *Himself*. Who calls us to walk with Him — or even limp — toward healing.
**So when you find yourself disappointed — even with God — look again at Jesus.**
He is the King who rides into broken places.
He is the King who weeps over hardened hearts.
He is the King who dies to reconcile.
And He is the King who reigns in love.
**Reflection Questions:**
- Am I willing to let go of my expectations and trust God’s deeper plan?
- In disappointment, do I still believe that Jesus is King?
- How can I root myself in His love more deeply this Holy Week?
“Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!” — Luke 19:38