The Bride, the King, and the Coming Glory

Sunday Round Up – Palm Sunday 29.03.2026 — Pastor John Powell

Palm Sunday always invites us to look again at Jesus — not only as the humble servant Messiah, but as the rightful Warrior King. Pastor John opened with a reminder that shapes everything else:

“I am no longer judged and seen as a sinner – although I am. I don’t deserve it, but You did it all for me.”

From that place of grace, he challenged us to choose blessing over cursing, to realign our hearts with God’s purposes, and to revisit what resurrection life truly means. We prayed that the power of His risen life would be felt afresh.

The King Who Rides a Donkey

Luke 19:28–44

Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem was not random or improvised. Every detail had been foretold. He rode on the colt of a donkey — unused, untamed, untrained — yet exactly where He said it would be. The disciples found it waiting, and the owner released it without hesitation. Even this small moment testified to His kingship.

John linked this to 2 Samuel 6:3 and 1 Corinthians 15, reminding us that Jesus entered Jerusalem as King, just as David once brought the Ark of the Covenant into the city. John said, “I wish I had seen David dance the ark into Jerusalem, but I will be there when Jesus returns to take His throne.”

Five hundred years before Palm Sunday, the Ark had been carried in procession along the same road. The echoes are deliberate.

The Ark, the Throne, and the Presence of God

The Ark of the Covenant carried deep symbolism:

• Rod of Jesse — budded and blossomed, pointing to Jesus who fulfilled the law and ushered in grace.

• Manna — God’s provision in the wilderness.

• The Ark itself — the throne of God on earth.

• Cherubim — throne bearers.

• Blood on the east side — mirroring the heavenly pattern, covering us.

  
  

The throne is not foreign to us; the tabernacle taught us its pattern.

The Ark had been passed around for years. False gods were toppled in its presence. It brought blessing to Israel but curses to those who mishandled it. David, a warrior raised up by God, understood its importance. He called for it to be returned to its rightful place.

Obed‑Edom, God fearing Levite, didn’t want to let it go — the presence of God had blessed him beyond measure. The Ark was the seat of God’s presence, His earthly throne.

John challenged us: If your Christianity won’t move when His presence moves, is it really Christianity?

Tradition cannot recreate presence. Ritual cannot replace relationship.

David’s Dance and the King’s Road

David brought the Ark to Jerusalem with reverence and joy. He knew there was a specific way to carry the presence. And although he was dressed as a king, he stripped down to the ephod of a priest — recognising that the throne was not his.

• He danced with abandon, caught up in the presence of God.

• The priest went before the king.

• Michal (his wife) looked on and despised him, but David refused to be moved by human opinion - God is putting spiritual blinkers on His people so they stop caring what others think.

For 33 years, the Ark sat in Jerusalem while the Levites praised God 24/7 in David’s Tabernacle — open to see by everyone, unlike Moses’ tabernacle.

Jesus lived 33 years on earth. The parallel is intentional.

Zechariah 9:9 prophesied, “Your King comes riding on a donkey."

Five centuries later, Jesus fulfilled it — entering Jerusalem on the same road David once walked.

Even the stones were ready to cry out. Jerusalem’s stones contain high iron oxide, the same property that allows VHS tape to hold sound. Creation itself was prepared to echo His praise. Jesus knew the stones would hold the sound.

The donkey symbolised humility — the servant King coming to die for the world.

The Servant King Who Washes Feet

Jesus didn’t enter Jerusalem on a war horse but on a colt — not even fully grown. This was not the warrior image Israel expected.

At Passover, He washed the disciples’ feet. Clean hands and a clean heart are our responsibility; clean feet are His.

He creates the way for us to walk.

• The cross is where we should have died, but He took our place.

• He prepared us for a walk of righteousness we could never achieve alone.

• He prepares a table for us in the presence of our enemies — and He serves us at that table.

• He invites us to pull up a chair and eat.

• His cup never runs dry, no matter how we fail.

• He washes us — not just our feet, but all of us — and walks ahead, taking ownership of our sin.

• In seasons of hurt, He comes to overcome and build us up.

Jesus once waited for the throne to be set up. Next time, He will come on a white horse for battle.

Palm Sunday: More Than a Tradition

The devil would love us to forget the meaning of Palm Sunday. But Jesus is coming to rule the nations — and the world needs His rule.

When He made a weave the whip at the temple, He was not out of control. He was deliberate, righteous, and authoritative. He overturned the tables as the Warrior King confronting injustice.

To walk with God is to serve — to pick up the mop, the kettle, the everyday tools of love. It’s not about religion. It’s about freedom, grace, and the servant King.

Ezekiel 44:2 tells us the Eastern Gate is bricked up — but Jesus will break through it as the Prince of Peace, the Warrior King, Faithful and True, ruling for a thousand years.

Revelation 19:10–16

Three times the throne will enter Jerusalem:

1. The Ark of the covenant lead by Kind David

2. Jesus on a donkey as the Servant King

3. Jesus on a white horse as the Warrior King

   
   

The clock is ticking. The King is coming for His bride.

The Bride of Christ

Matthew 25:1–13 reminds us to keep our lamps filled with oil. The wise virgins knew who they were and who was coming.

• The white horse and the armies of heaven are real — and thrilling.

• The bride (church) will return with Him.

• You are now part of the story.

• Prepare by loving, worshipping, serving, staying consistent, persistent, and committed.

The devil is jealous because he wanted the glory God gave to humanity. David wrote the Psalms — the worship Satan longed to lead. Now you are the worship leader of heaven. When you sing, the angels join in. Heaven stirs.

So, refuse to be silenced. Because even the stones will praise Him. Nothing will stop the sound.

The Table, the Covenant, and the Cup

Jesus says: “I will lead you to the table. I will serve you with covenant. I will show you who you are and who I am.”

He prepares us for His return. Be of good cheer — He has overcome.

Use the weapons of warfare: Word, Worship, Communion.

We recognise Him as both servant King and warrior King. He has done all things for us.

At Passover, the fifth cup was left for the Messiah. When we take communion, we partake in what He has done. The cup has been given to us.

“Sing, Daughter of Zion”

Hannah went to the Tabernacle and sang — and God heard her.

It’s not over until the barren woman sings. It’s not over when the devil calls out your sin, pride, or shame.

Sing in redemption.