Each Palm Sunday the same question occurs. Why is it that Jesus is greeted with shouts of “Hosanna” on Sunday … but come Friday, everyone is screaming, “Crucify him”? How do you go from being the grand marshal of a victory parade to hanging from a cross in the span of just five days? What could the man have possibly done to turn the entire city against him in less than a week?

Well, more than likely, it wasn’t what Jesus did; it is what he didn’t do. Simply put, he failed to meet expectations—and make no mistake, there was a great deal expected of Jesus.

For starters, since Passover was basically Independence Day for the Israelites, there were probably a fair number of zealots in the crowd—folks who were just waiting for the right opportunity to challenge the authority of Rome and throw off the shackles of oppression. All they needed was a leader … someone charismatic enough to claim the people’s allegiance and courageous enough to strike the first blow. Hence, when Jesus shows up—the same Jesus who had said, “I have not come to bring peace, but a sword”—the zealots look at one another and say, “I like the sound of that. Grab a palm branch, fellows, because our mighty conqueror has arrived!”

But they were not the only ones who lined the streets on Palm Sunday. There were also the Sadducees—folks who recognized that, while being an occupied country was hardly ideal, getting along with the Romans was far more profitable than starting a revolution. What they were looking for was someone who could pacify the people and persuade everyone to make the best of a bad situation. Hence, when Jesus shows up—the same Jesus who had said, “Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s”—the Sadducees nod at one another and say, “Sounds like we’ve found our man. Grab a palm branch, fellows, because our great diplomat has arrived!”

And then you had the Pharisees, who were not nearly as concerned with the threat of Rome as they were with the threat of moral decay. What they were seeking was someone who could inspire the people to pay closer attention to the rules and rituals of Judaism. They had their problems with Jesus, to be sure. But they couldn’t deny his skill as a public speaker; and mind you, he had said, “I have not come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it.” So I’m guessing that there might have been a few Pharisees who were willing to join this parade: “Grab a palm branch, fellows, because our esteemed teacher and priest has arrived!”

One by one, Jesus will prove to be a disappointment to all of them. He is a conqueror, yes … but it is not Rome that he intends to conquer. He is a peacemaker … but it is not the peace that the world gives. He is a priest … but rather than offering a sacrifice, he will become one. And he simply could not hold on to the crowd’s expectations with one hand, and God’s expectations with the other, without winding up with his arms outstretched on a cross.

I suppose the bottom line is that if you are looking for a Savior to meet your own expectations, then Jesus is bound to disappoint. However, if you are looking for someone to help you meet God’s expectations … then by all means, grab a palm branch, because our Messiah has arrived!