Kendall Harmon’s 2026 Palm Sunday Sermon–Do we see and know Jesus as our Subversive King (Matthew 21:1-11)?

‘“Do we see and know Jesus as the subversive king? Do we see and know Jesus as the subversive king? That’s my subject.
One sentence, Jesus is our subversive king. I have two points. You ready?
One, he’s subversive. Two, he’s king. We’re all together?

Now, we have a problem. Every preacher has a problem. This is the hardest week to preach every year by far.
It’s the most important week in history. In all of history, it’s the most important week for Christians worldwide. And as if all that isn’t enough, it’s the most important week in the life of the most important person in history.”

“So this is a big deal. And the problem for the preacher is it’s like a smorgasbord. There’s so much good food, you can’t even take it all in and you have to choose.
So the whole point is you’ve got to learn to focus. So I’m just giving you one angle, one camera lens shot, but it’s an important one. So think with me about subversiveness and kingship for just a moment.
Let’s take them each in their turn. First of all, Jesus being subversive. That word subvert is deliberately chosen.
It’s a very strong word. It means to shake at its very foundation. It means to ring from the inside out.”

“It means you get with something and you interact with it in such a way that after you leave, it’s never the same again. It’s like putting a human being in a washing machine for a long time, and then taking them out the other side. It’s a traumatic, life-changing event when you’re subverted.
And Jesus is coming into Jerusalem. And after this week, Jerusalem is not going to be the same. Caiaphas is not going to be the same.
Pilate is not going to be the same. The world isn’t going to be the same, and none of the disciples are going to be the same. And we’ve got to understand why….”‘

You may listen directly here:

Or you may download it there.

29th March is Palm Sunday: the Entry into Jerusalem. #PalmSunday
BL Arundel 157; Psalter; 13th century; England, Central (Oxford); f.8v @BLMedieval pic.twitter.com/JiJAgn0Vny

— Ennius (@red_loeb) March 28, 2026