205
• T h e
K i n g ’ s
B u s i n e s s
April 1930
things that would befall Him there. Fi nally He threw aside the cloak of obscur ity and accepted honors which were due only to Messiah, King of Israel. Yet, even when He came to Jerusalem for His last Passover, He did not rush recklessly into danger, as is seen in the fact that He spent Hjs nights in seclusion at Bethany. * * ♦ H eart of t h e L esso n I. Preparations Begun (1-3). V. 1. Drew nigh. Coming from Perea, Jesus passed through Jericho, located about 23 miles northeast of Jerusalem and five miles west of the Jordan. At
May 11, 1930 Jesus Acclaimed as King
sufferings and death than He had told them before. He added that on the third day after His death He would rise again. The disciples could not understand what He meant. They had been looking for a king to set up an earthly kingdom and free them from the power of the Romans. Jesus was speaking of a spiritual king dom, into which no one can enter who has not been “born again.” When He comes again He will indeed set up His kingdom. Later, the disciples under stood this, and realized how different it will be from what they had dreamed 1 But at the time of our lesson, their thoughts and plans were of earthly glory and honor. Jesus had just been talking about His coming death, His betrayal, and suffer ing. But because the disciples did not understand, they hoped to share the glory of His kingdom, and wanted to be sure of prominence in it. Salome, the wife of Zebedee, came with her two sons, John and James. She asked that her two sons might have the highest places when Jesus established His kingdom. John and James joined in this request for the two best places in the kingdom. Then Jesus told them that they did not know what it was for which they asked.- How grieved He must have been by their selfishness 1 He had been trying to teach them that the true spirit of the Kingdom is that of a little child, humble and unselfish. When He asked if they thought they could “drink of his cup,” they replied that they could. They were sure that they would always be faithful, but within a short time they all forsook Him. After Pen tecost, they were ready to endure any per secution for His sake, but that was after His Spirit had come into their hearts, changing them. Jesus told them that they should indeed drink of His cup. But the honor they asked was not His to give; it was for His Father to bestow the thrones upon those who should be most worthy of them. They were not to be given simply as a personal favor, but to those whose lives were the most pleasing to God. The other ten disciples were much dis pleased because James and John tried to get ahead of them and make sure of the best places in the Kingdom. They had the same ambition themselves, the same self- seeking spirit. So they murmured among themselves. Jesus knew, and calling them to Him, told them again that the true spirit of His kingdom is the very opposite of that which they were showing. He did not say that it was wrong to wish to be great; but showed them the vast dif ference between His greatness and that of the world. He left the glory of heaven to come to earth as a little Baby, and live and die for the world. He was the Son of God, and angels would have gladly ministered unto H im ! But instead, He be came a humble Man, and ministered to others; He washed the feet of His dis ciples; He showed them by His own life the way He wanted them to live. And then, He died for the sins of others, to set them free from the power of Satan. He wanted His disciples to understand that if they would be great in His king dom, they must not seek for praise and worldly honor. Not by seeking to win first place, but by following Him, serving Him, loving Him, wishing most of all to please Him, is the way to true greatness. ; Prayer.
Lesson: Matthew 20:29-21:46. (Lesson Text: Matt. 21:1-11.)
Golden Text: “Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the high est” (Matt. 21:9). * * * L e sso n in O u t l in e I. Preparation (1-3, 6-7). 1. The company at Bethany (cf. Jn. 12 : 1 - 11 ) . 2. Approach to the Mount of Olives ( 1 ). 3. Errand of two disciples (1-3, 6-7). II. Prophecy Fulfilled (4-5). 1. Daughter of Zion—Jerusalem. 2. The King coming to His city. a. He is meek (cf. 11:29). b. He is lowly (cf. Zech. 9:9). III. Public Honors to the King (8-11). 1. Marks of honor—g a r m e n t s , branches spread (8). 2. Acclaim as Messiah (9). a. Hosanna—“Save now.” b. Son of David—King of Israel. c. Messiah recognized—“he t h a t cometh.” d. Thanksgiving and appeal to God—“Hosanna in the highest.” 3. Popular welcome to His city (io-ii). a. Enthusiastic— the c i t y wa s shaken.” b. Inquiring—“Who is this?” c. Unintelligent—“This is Jesus, the prophet.” * * * A pproach to t h e L esso n T HE earthly ministry of our Lord was drawing to a close. Heralded by John the Baptist, He had begun His labors un der what appeared to be most propitious circumstances. Multitudes flocked to Him everywhere. His miracles excited great est wonder. The thoughtless mob was ready to seize Him and make Him a King (John 6:15). But Jesus was not deceived by this unthinking popular acclaim. De liberately disappointing the prevailing ex pectations concerning the long-hoped-for Messianic kingdom, and fearlessly expos ing the hypocrisies of the nation’s re ligious leaders, He moved steadily to ward the inevitable crisis, knowing that it would lead to His condemnation and cru cifixion. Many times, after His most stupendous miracles, Jesus urged secrecy on those who were the recipients of His benefac tions, in order not to awaken unneces sary or premature conflict with His foes. To those who willed to do His will (John 7:17), He revealed Himself as Messiah; but to the unbelieving, His real identity was hidden. To the many, He was, at the end, nothing more than a great prophet; the inner circle of disciples were convinced that He was the Messiah, the Son of the Living God. He had refused to show Himself openly to the world be fore His time had come (John 7 :1-10). When the hour approached, He set His face steadfastly to go to Jerusalem and gave repeated predictions concerning the
that boint occurred the healing of two blind men (20:30- 34). M a r k a n d Luke mention only Bartimeus, the more important of t h e two. Matthew does not mention the ar
rival at Bethany, six days before the Passover (cf. John 12:1). Jesus probably spent the Sabbath at Bethany, presum ably in the home of Lazarus and the sis ters Mary and Martha. His arrival brought a large company from Jerusalem to see Him and Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead (John 12:9). After the Sabbath, or Saturday evening, a sup per was served, when Mary brought her gift of precious ointment with which she anointed Him (John 12:1-8). The next morning occurred the event recorded in this lesson. Came unto Bethphage. The traditional site of this village is between Bethany and Jerusalem. The name sig nifies “house of figs.” Bethany means “house of dates.” Mount of Olives. Sep arated from Jerusalem by the valley of Kidron. Sent two disciples. They are un named but there are reasons for believing ■that they were Peter and John. V. 2. Into the village. Bethphage seems to answer the description. Ye shall find. Note the definiteness of the whole state ment. It is not necessary to assume that Jesus had arranged in advance for the colt. An ass tied, and a colt. Mark and Luke mention only the colt, the more im portant of the two animals. This colt was one “whereon no man ever yet sat” (Mk. 11:2)« The use of such an animal was a special mark of respect and honor (Deut. ■ 21:3; 1 Sam. 6 :7). V. 3. I f any one say. Mark (11:5) states that the disciples were questioned about their right to take the colt. The Lord hath need. Jesus assumed the title Lord, and He was the Lord; yet He had needs as a man. Being the Lord, He could demand the use of the property of His subjects. II. Prophecy Fulfilled (4-5). V. 4. Might be fulfilled. This is quoted from Zech. 9:9. Some think that the in troduction is quoted from Isaiah 62:11. Zechariah pictures the righteous King who comes to Jerusalem. This was liter ally fulfilled 550 years after the prophet spoke. The further statement that He was to have a universal kingdom (Zech. 9:10), is not quoted by Matthew. It is not yet fulfilled. V. 5. Daughter of Zion. A figure des ignating the city of Jerusalem. The King cometh. In a peculiar sense Jerusa lem was His own city. The Temple was His own house (21:13). He came offering
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