STORY OF JESUS 13
Riding Into Jerusalem
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Jesus was nearing Jerusalem to attend the Passover. He was surrounded by
multitudes who were also going up to this great yearly feast.
At His command, two of the disciples brought an ass's colt that He might
ride into Jerusalem. They spread their garments upon the beast, and placed their
Master upon it. (An Ass in the
Bible is a Donkey)
As soon as He was seated, a loud shout of triumph rent the air. The
multitude hailed Him as Messiah, their King. More than five hundred years
before, the prophet had foretold this scene:
"Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; . . . behold, thy King cometh
unto thee; . . . lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an
ass." Zechariah 9:9.
All in the rapidly increasing throng were happy and excited. They could
not offer Him costly gifts, but they spread their outer garments, as a carpet,
in His path.
They broke off the beautiful branches of the olive and the palm, and
strewed them in the way. They thought they were escorting Christ to take
possession of the throne of David in Jerusalem.
The Saviour had never before allowed His followers to show Him kingly
honors. But at this time He desired especially to manifest Himself to the world
as its Redeemer.
The Son of God was about to become a sacrifice for the sins of men. His
church in all succeeding ages must make His death a subject of deep thought and
study. It was necessary, then, that the eyes of all people should now be
directed to Him.
After such a scene as this, His trial and crucifixion could never be
hidden from the world. It was God's design that each event in the closing days
of the Saviour's life should be so plainly marked that no power could cause it
to be forgotten.
In the vast multitude surrounding the Saviour were the evidences of His
miracle-working power.
The blind whom He had restored to sight were leading the way.
The dumb whose tongues He had loosed, shouted the loudest hosannas.
The cripples whom He had healed leaped for joy, and were most active in
breaking the palm branches and waving them before Him.
Widows and orphans were exalting the name of Jesus for His works of mercy
to them.
The loathsome lepers who had been cleansed by a word, spread their
garments in the way.
Those who had been raised from the dead by the life-giving voice of the
Saviour were there.
And Lazarus, whose body had seen corruption in the grave, but who was now
enjoying the strength of glorious manhood, was with the happy throng that
escorted the Saviour to Jerusalem.
As new numbers were added to the throng, they caught the inspiration of
the hour, and joined in the shouts that echoed and re-echoed from hill to hill
and from valley to valley:
"Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He that cometh in the name
of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest." Matthew 21:9.
Many Pharisees witnessed this scene, and were displeased. They felt that
they were losing the control of the people. With all their authority they tried
to silence them; but their threats and appeals only increased the enthusiasm.
Finding that they could not control the people, they pressed through the
crowd to where Jesus was, and said to Him: "Master, rebuke Thy
disciples."
They declared that such a tumult was unlawful, and would not be permitted
by the rulers.
Jesus said, "I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the
stones would immediately cry out." Luke 19:39, 40.
This scene of triumph was of God's own appointing; it had been foretold
by the prophets, and no earthly power could stop it. The work of God will ever
go forward, in spite of all that man may do to hinder it or tear it down.
As the procession came to the brow of the hill overlooking Jerusalem, the
full splendor of the city met their view.
The vast multitude hushed their shouts, spellbound by the sudden vision
of beauty. All eyes turned upon the Saviour, expecting to see in His countenance
the admiration which they themselves felt.
Jesus halted, and a cloud of sorrow gathered upon His countenance, and
the multitude were astonished to see Him burst into an agony of weeping.
Those who surrounded the Saviour could not understand His grief; but He
wept for the city that was doomed.
It had been the child of His care, and His heart was filled with anguish
as He realized that it would soon be made desolate.
Had her people given heed to Christ's teaching, and received Him as the
Saviour, Jerusalem would have "stood forever."
She might have become the queen of kingdoms, free in the strength of her
God-given power.
There would then have been no armed soldiers waiting at her gates, no
Roman banners waving from her walls.
From Jerusalem the dove of peace would have gone to all nations. She
would have been the crowning glory of the world.
But the Jews had rejected their Saviour; they were about to crucify their
King. And when the sun should set that night, the doom of Jerusalem would be
forever sealed. (About forty years afterward, Jerusalem was utterly destroyed
and burned with fire by the Roman army.)
Reports had come to the rulers that Jesus was nearing the city with a
vast company of followers. They went out to meet Him, hoping to scatter the
throng. With a show of much authority they asked: "Who is this?"
Matthew 21:10.
The disciples, filled with the Spirit of inspiration, answered:
"Adam will tell you, 'It is the Seed of the woman that shall bruise the
serpent's head.'
"Ask Abraham. He will tell you, 'It is Melchisedek, King of Salem,
King of Peace.'
"Jacob will tell you, 'He is Shiloh of the tribe of Judah.'
"Isaiah will tell you, 'Immanuel, Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty
God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.'
"Jeremiah will tell you, 'The Branch of David, the Lord, our
righteousness.'
"Daniel will tell you, 'He is the Messiah.'
"Hosea will tell you, 'He is the Lord God of Hosts, the Lord is His
memorial.'
"John the Baptist will tell you, 'He is the Lamb of God that taketh
away the sin of the world.'
"The great Jehovah has proclaimed from His throne, 'This is My
beloved Son.'
"We, His disciples, declare, 'This is Jesus, the Messiah, the Prince
of Life, the Redeemer.'
"And even the prince of the power of darkness acknowledges Him,
saying, 'I know Thee who Thou art, the Holy One of God!'"
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