In this Thanksgiving week Rooted, you walk us into Luke 19:28–40 and the story of Palm Sunday, reminding us that Jesus enters Jerusalem not like a conquering king on a warhorse but humbly on a borrowed donkey, showing us what His kingdom is really like. Luke doesn’t quote prophecy the way Matthew does — instead he highlights who Jesus is: a King whose power looks like love, mercy, and service instead of domination. As the crowds praise Him and the Pharisees try to quiet it down, Jesus makes clear that His lordship can’t be silenced. And that becomes a good word for the holidays — when stress, old tensions, and family dynamics pop up, we get the chance to reflect the humble, gracious way of Jesus through forgiveness, patience, and kindness. As we head into Thanksgiving and even Black Friday, you remind us that the best gifts we can give aren’t things at all, but the love and mercy of the King we follow.

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Well good morning — it’s good to be with you on this Thanksgiving week.

Before we jump in, just a quick scheduling note:
This will be our only Rooted this week. I’ll be around some, out of pocket some, but we’ll pick back up with our normal rhythm the week after Thanksgiving.

I hope you have a wonderful holiday — time with friends and family, good food, and a chance to reflect on the many, many, many blessings we have to be thankful for.

One of the things I’m thankful for is you — those of you who watch or listen, who send notes of encouragement, who email or text me saying, “Hey, we miss Rooted!” when I take some time away. This devotional began all the way back in my Philadelphia days — 2004 — as a little email group. Honestly, I think it started on dial-up internet. No video. YouTube didn’t even exist!

Over the years, it’s changed forms, moved from email to podcast to video to written transcripts, but the heart has stayed the same — opening Scripture together and letting God speak. And I’m thankful you walk with me in it.

Today, we arrive at Palm Sunday in Luke’s Gospel — Jesus entering Jerusalem.

So let’s read Luke 19:28–40 together:

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Luke 19:28–40

After he had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. When he had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, saying, “Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ just say this: ‘The Lord needs it.’”

So those who were sent departed and found it as he had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?” They said, “The Lord needs it.”

Then they brought it to Jesus; and after throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. As he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road.

As he was now approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, saying, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!”

Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, order your disciples to stop.” He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.”

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Now what’s interesting here is something you can see if you compare Luke’s account with Matthew’s.
Matthew is always quoting the Old Testament — “This was done to fulfill what the prophet said…” That’s his style.

But Luke?
No Old Testament citations here at all.
Because Luke — a Gentile doctor — isn’t focused on Jewish prophecy.
He’s focused on who Jesus is.

And what we see here is the kind of king Jesus chooses to be.

Think for a second about all the statues you’ve seen — in Europe, in America, wherever — of kings, generals, presidents. What are they riding? A big strong stallion. Rearing back. Sword lifted high. That’s the classic image of a conquering king.

That was the Roman way.
That was the world’s way.

And then there’s Jesus — riding a borrowed donkey.
Not a warhorse.
Not a symbol of domination.
A symbol of humility.

The crowd is shouting praise, and the Pharisees say, “Jesus, shut this down. Rome’s gonna think you’re trying to overthrow them.” And Jesus says, “If they were quiet, the stones themselves would cry out.”

Why?
Because He is the King.
He is Lord.
But not like Caesar.
Not like any earthly ruler.

Jesus’ power is not domination.
Jesus’ power is love.
Jesus’ rule is mercy.
Jesus’ victory is a cross, not a sword.

That’s the heart of Palm Sunday — and honestly, it’s a pretty good word for Thanksgiving week.

Because as families gather, as stress rises, as old memories and old grudges bubble up — especially for us Southerners who do love a good grudge — we have the chance to reflect the kind of King we follow.

Maybe this week you have a chance to forgive someone who doesn’t “deserve” it.
Maybe you have the opportunity to serve someone you’d rather not.
Maybe you can be the calm voice in a tense room, the gracious presence in a difficult moment.

That’s what following the kingship of Jesus looks like.

He rode into Jerusalem humbly.
He rules with grace.
And He calls us to do the same.

And as Black Friday gets here — and the world chases deals and things and more things — remember the greatest gift you can give isn’t something you can order online.
It’s love.
It’s mercy.
It’s presence.
It’s choosing the way of Jesus.

So friends, this Thanksgiving week, let’s be thankful that Christ is Lord — and let’s live like the kind of Lord He is.

Thanks for being with me.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and a great weekend.
We’ll pick back up next Monday.