A Call. A Reason. A Reward

Summary and Discussion Questions
Based on a Sermon by Pastor Trent Thomas 
Sunday, March 29, 2026 | Christ Hills Church in Monroe, NC 

Zechariah 9:9-12 

We all love a good Cinderella story where the underdog comes from behind to win it all. Maybe it’s because we want to be part of it. Think of the unforgettable NCAA men’s basketball championship game in 1983 when the North Carolina State Wolfpack, coached by Jim Valvano, won on a last second shot. Jimmy V was seen running around the court looking for someone to hug, as though he didn’t belief what had just happened. It was raw and unscripted joy. 

In Zechariah chapter 9, we are invited into a narrative that’s even better. Not a trivial game, but a story of redemption that rewrites everything. Read it for yourself and find a call to hope, a reason to hope, and a reward for hope. 

A Call to Hope 

Israel had a proud past—a time when they were at the top of their game. Their history was filled with victories, prosperity, and God’s presence. But when Zechariah writes these inspired words, those days are in the distant past. No victories today. No running around with a big smile on your face looking for someone to high five and celebrate a big win. In the middle of this down time comes a surprising command: Rejoice and shout aloud. Not because of what is happening now, but because of what is coming. That’s the nature of our hope. God calls His people to celebrate in advance. But it’s not wishful thinking; it’s confident expectation. And for Israel, a king was coming who would restore His people to their former glory. 

What about us? The call is the same. Our hope is not based on our circumstances. It’s anchored in the promises of the one, true, faithful, and sovereign God. That is your call to hope. 

A Reason to Hope 

You might be asking, where and how do we find this king? The answer is our very reason to hope. You don’t have to go to him. He is coming to you. He doesn’t demand you find your own way. He enters into your brokenness, your confusion, your everyday life. And He brings peace in an unconventional way—by transforming your heart. Know this: he’s a different kind of king. He doesn’t arrive with military might or political prowess. Yes, He is righteous and victorious, but He is also humble and riding on a donkey, bringing peace, not waging war. This leader to come is none other than King Jesus. 

He invites you to come. And his invitation is deeply personal. He moves toward you— gently, intentionally, sacrificially. And His promise is sealed not with words alone, but with His own blood. 

That is your reason to hope. 

A Reward for Hope 

What will life look like when this new king arrives and takes His rightful place on the throne? He will bring forgiveness, salvation, and true freedom. Those who were once bound in despair will become “prisoners of hope.” Not prisoners of fear or scarcity, but prisoners of hope in the One who saves. As our joy deepens, may we revel in that identity. May we be a people held fast by hope in Christ alone, and therefore willing, eager, and ready for whatever He calls us into. It’s a beautiful paradox. You’re still held captive, but now by something life-giving instead of something life-taking. We all hope for something. Maybe you’re dreaming of relationships, achievements, recognition, or stability. These are all good things, but they can fade and disappoint. The gift of King Jesus is a supernatural one. He gives life—eternal and abundant. He brings forgiveness where there was guilt. Freedom where there was bondage. Restoration where there was loss. And Zechariah says His restoration is not just barely enough, but double. You see, His grace is truly overflowing. 

That’s the kind of King we celebrate. He’s not one who takes, but one who gives. Not one who crushes, but one who saves. 

That is your reward for hope. 

And on this Palm Sunday, we rejoice and shout aloud, joining the chorus that has echoed throughout generations: “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.” 

Questions for Reflection & Discussion: 

1. Where in your life do you feel like you’re living in the shadow of former glory, and how is God inviting you to hope again? 

2. What does it mean to you personally that Jesus comes to you rather than demanding you to come to Him? 

3. What are you currently placing your hope in, and how does that compare to the lasting hope offered by Jesus?