Reviving the Church Together: Lessons from Jesus’ Triumphal Entry

The author begins with the 2023 revival at Asbury University, which spread far beyond its campus after a simple chapel service, and connects it to the Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem during Passover. Drawing on John 12:12-19, the post considers what it means for God to revive a whole body of believers rather than only individuals. It describes the crowds who had gathered for the festival, many of whom had heard about Jesus raising Lazarus, and who greeted him with palm branches and shouts of “Hosanna.”

The author explains that “Hosanna” carries a plea to save, along with a sense of worship. He argues that many in the crowd likely hoped for rescue from Rome, while Jesus came to deal with the sin in human hearts. Drawing on Matthew 23, the post notes that the city’s leaders largely rejected Jesus and that the cry of blessing came mainly from a faithful remnant. The author sees the words “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord” as also pointing forward to Christ’s second coming, and he expresses a longing for revival in the church today.

The post also reflects on the three declarations the crowd made: Jesus is Savior, Lord, and King. The author presents shared belief in these truths as the basis for unity among believers. He points to the donkey as a sign of a humble, servant king, and he urges the church to set aside pride and agendas. He also connects the words “Do not be afraid” with the anxieties of the present day, and he notes that the disciples only understood these events later, which he uses to encourage trust even when the meaning is unclear.

Finally, the author highlights the power of personal testimony, which he presents as valuable evidence of God’s work, and encourages the congregation to share their stories. He closes by asking whether the church would welcome revival fully or shut it down, recalling how the Asbury services eventually ended after sixteen days.

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