How Do We Respond to the King?

📝 Summary

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In this Palm Sunday message, Pastor Paul Durbin reminds Belay’ers that Jesus didn’t just enter Jerusalem as a teacher or miracle worker—He entered as King. Much like a soldier reporting for duty, Jesus fully stepped into His role, knowing what was ahead. Pastor Paul explores how we respond to King Jesus today: by surrendering our stuff, giving our worship, and fixing our eyes on Him. Jesus doesn’t want to control us—He invites us to willingly surrender everything because He’s a different kind of King. The question isn’t just “Is Jesus your Savior?” but “Is He your King?”

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📌 Tips

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For the greatest impact, invite a few others to go through this study guide with you.
You don’t need to do every section and question—use what fits your group or season.
Let the Spirit highlight where to slow down and engage. </aside>

🧊 Icebreaker

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What are your favorite “king” or “leader” movie moments—and what makes a leader worth following?

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📖 Bible Passage(s)

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Luke 19:28–44 (NIV) 28 After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, 30 “Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it.’ ” 32 Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. 33 As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?” 34 They replied, “The Lord needs it.” 35 They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. 36 As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road. 37 When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: 38 “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” 39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” 40 “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” 41 As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it 42 and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. 43 The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. 44 They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.”

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🔎 Observation

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What stands out to you in the passage(s)? Is there anything new for you to believe or obey?
What details in this passage show Jesus’ control and intentionality as He enters Jerusalem?
How do the people in the crowd respond differently than the Pharisees?
Why do you think Jesus weeps over Jerusalem at the end of this story? </aside>

👋 Application

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What does it mean to let Jesus be King rather than just a good teacher? Many admire Jesus’ teachings but resist His authority. Palm Sunday reveals that He claims every part of our life.
How do you know if your “stuff” (dong-xi) has too much hold on you? Ask: “Could I give this up if Jesus asked?” The way we hold our possessions reveals who’s truly ruling our heart.
Why does Jesus say, “The Lord needs it,” instead of just taking the donkey? It shows He is not a tyrant; He invites willing surrender. The King doesn’t demand—He asks.
How might your worship reflect your heart toward King Jesus? Worship isn’t just Sunday songs—it’s vocal, visible surrender. Silence can be as revealing as singing.
When have you treated your faith as just an external (physical) or internal (private) thing, instead of both? True faith touches our hands and our heart. Jesus wants “all of us”—inside and out.
What distractions compete for your attention—your eyes—during the week? Phones, news, work, worry—each can pull our gaze away from Jesus. The call of Palm Sunday is to fix our eyes on the true King.
What does responding to Jesus as King look like in your everyday life this week? Surrender, worship, focus—each one is a daily practice of letting Him rule. </aside>

🏔️ Live “On Belay”

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Practical ways to live “on mission” with King Jesus this week:

Declare one thing “the Lord needs”—and give it up. (A habit, a comfort, a possession.)
Sing out loud this week. In the car, in the kitchen—don’t let the rocks take your place.
Fast from distraction. Turn off your phone or social media for 24 hours simply to re‑center on Jesus.
Catch someone doing something generous and name it—celebrate kingdom living where you see it.
Pray “Your kingdom come” every morning this week—and mean it in your schedule, spending, and speech. </aside>

🙏 Prayer

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Jesus, I surrender what I’ve been holding back. You’re the rightful King.
Help me see my stuff the way You do—tools for Your glory, not trophies for mine.
Teach me to worship You openly and joyfully.
Keep my eyes fixed on You when distractions fight for my attention.
Let me walk “on belay” this week, living as someone who serves the King. </aside>

🎶 Worship

https://youtu.be/PRugOZ7Iyao?si=OPM7vvsT754jM6mX