What's it Going to Take?
- Apr 3
- 4 min read
Intro:
How many questions do you think you ask in a day?
As adults, studies suggest we ask around 20–30 questions daily. Kids? Around 73 questions a day at home—and on a long road trip, it can feel like 10 million.
Questions have purpose.They help us gain information, understand more deeply, and think things through.
But sometimes… there’s more behind a question than what’s being asked.
Have you ever heard someone say, “What’s it going to take?”Not just as a question—but with a tone?
That question often reveals motivation:
Maybe you’re unsure
Maybe you don’t want to
Maybe you’re frustrated
Maybe something isn’t working
Maybe you’re just exhausted
Today, we’re going to carry that question with us:What’s it going to take?
The Moment Everyone Was Talking About
A few days before Palm Sunday, something happened that all of Jerusalem couldn’t stop talking about.
In John 11:43–44, Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead.
It’s easy to read—but hard to comprehend.
Imagine someone you love passes away… and days later, they’re alive again.
Only God could do that.
In John 11:45, a large crowd witnessed it.And this miracle moved the needle—many believed in Jesus.
It answered the question:“What’s it going to take for you to believe?”
Apparently…Seeing someone raised from the dead should be enough.
But Not Everyone Believed
In John 11:46–47, others responded differently.
Despite all Jesus had done—healing the blind, curing lepers, feeding thousands—some still asked:
“What’s it going to take?”
Even in Matthew 12:38, they demanded a sign.
They got signs…But they still didn’t believe.
Why?
Because instead of:
Faith → there was fear
Submission → there was self-interest
Trust → there was control
The religious leaders felt their power was threatened.
A Deadly Decision
In John 11:49–50, Caiaphas makes a statement:
“It is better for one man to die than for the whole nation to perish.”
From a human perspective, it was pragmatic.
From God’s perspective—it was prophetic.
In John 11:51–52, we see the truth:Jesus would die—not to save people from Rome, but to save them from sin.
And not just Israel…But everyone who would believe—including us today.
By John 11:53, the decision was made:
Jesus must die.
The Celebration of Palm Sunday
Fast forward to John 12.
Jerusalem is packed—normally 25–40k people, but during Passover? Over 125k, possibly even millions.
In John 12:13, tens of thousands are cheering:
Waving palm branches (a symbol of victory and hope)
Laying down clothing (a sign of honor and submission)
Picture a massive crowd waving flags, shouting in unity—but even that doesn’t capture the desperation of that moment.
They cried out:
“Hosanna!”Meaning: “Save us now!”
And:
“Blessed is He…”A cry of celebration: “Our deliverer has come!”
Hosanna = desperation Blessed = celebration
A Different Kind of King
In John 12:14–15, Jesus enters on a donkey—fulfilling Zechariah 9:9.
Not a war horse.A donkey.
Why?
Because He didn’t come to conquer Rome.He came to bring peace between God and humanity.
The Shift Behind the Scenes
Even as the crowd celebrated, something else was happening.
The religious leaders, overwhelmed by the growing momentum, sped up their plans.
They didn’t want to act during Passover…But now they felt they had no choice.
Plans were set:
Judas would betray Jesus
He would be arrested quietly at night
The situation would be controlled
Different Perspectives
In John 12:16–19, we see three perspectives:
The disciples didn’t fully understand yet
The crowd wondered how Jesus could benefit them
The religious leaders were frustrated things weren’t going as planned
And here’s the truth:
Perspective can fog reality.
Our experiences—hurt, betrayal, disappointment—shape how we think, feel, and respond.
Sometimes our perspective is built on:
Lies
Deception
False expectations
From “Hosanna” to “Crucify Him”
Many of the same people who shouted “Hosanna” would later shout “Crucify Him.”
Why?
Because Jesus didn’t meet their expectations.
He didn’t overthrow Rome
He didn’t bring political change
He didn’t perform the miracles they wanted
So their praise turned into rejection.
The Real Purpose of Jesus
Your relationship with Jesus is not about:
Changing your circumstances
Making life easier
It’s about something deeper.
John 11:50 reminds us: Jesus came to save you.
You might need:
Healing
Restoration
A better situation
But what every single person needs most is:
Jesus.
Because our greatest problem isn’t political, relational, or circumstantial.
It’s sin.
What’s It Going to Take?
So we come back to the question:
What’s it going to take?
It takes:
A realization of your need
A cry of “Hosanna”—save me
Romans 10:13 says:
“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Jesus died and rose again so your sins could be forgiven.
Salvation is a gift.
Two Questions to Consider
1. Have I repented of my sins and asked Jesus to forgive me?
If yes:
Remember that moment
Reflect with gratitude
Celebrate His grace
Keep growing
2. Have I repented of my sins and asked Jesus to forgive me?
If no:
Then the question remains:
What’s it going to take?
Today is your opportunity.
The Gospel is clear. Jesus has already done everything necessary.
Closing Thought
The crowd once cried:
“Hosanna—save us now!”
That cry is still the right response today.
Because what we need most…is exactly what Jesus came to give.
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