April 1930
206 blessing to His city, but it was spurned (Luke 19:4-44; Matt. 23:37-39). Meek. He did not come as a warrior and tyrant (cf. 11:29). Riding . . . upon a colt. The horse was the beast of war, forbid den to Israel’s kings (Deut. 17:15-16). The ass was the beast of the common people, more suitable for Him who was meek and lowly in heart. However, there was no disgrace in riding upon this ani mal. In the imagery of Revelation 19:11, Jesus Christ, the coming King, is repre sented as a Conqueror upon a white horse. He will come, in the future day, to make war. III. Preparations Completed (6-7). V. 6. The disciples went. Mark (11: 4-6) describes in greater detail the find ing of the colt, the questions of bystand ers, etc. Perhaps Mark, who has been called Peter’s amanuensis, received his in formation from that disciple—a hint that Peter was one of the two whom Jesus sent. The lowly task brought them a very great privilege. Why, then, should they quarrel about having the highest places in the Kingdom? V. 7. Brought the ass, and the colt. The owner has never had occasion to re gret this loan of his possessions to the Lord Jesus. Put on them their clothes. The Oriental monarch would have ex pected the animal upon which he was to ride to be covered with very costly cloths. The djsciples had no money with which to purchase such coverings, nor time to procure them, so they stripped themselves of their outer garments for the purpose. IV. Public Honors to the King (8-11). V. 8. Most part of the multitude. The rendering of the Revised Version is cor rect. It indicates that some did not take part in the proceedings. Probably there were in the multitude travelers who had come with Him from Perea, Galilee, Bethany, Jericho, and other near-by points. Other groups had come out from Jerusalem. Among this motley crowd there were doubtless some who had not believed Him to be Messiah and were not prepared to give Him royal honors. There always has been “a division be cause of him” (cf. Luke 19:39, R. V .; John 7:43; 9:16). Spread their garments. It was not unusual to spread costly car pets and garments in the path of conquer ors who came in triumphal procession. This act was, therefore, a mark of great est honor. Cut down branches. John (12: 13) says that they cut down branches of palm trees. From this circumstance the anniversary of the day came to be called Palm Sunday. V. 9. Multitudes . . . before him, and that followed. One group had started with Him from Bethany; another, and probably larger, company came out from Jerusalem. The two companies met somewhere along the road between Beth any and Jerusalem (John 12:12). Cried. The imperfect tense is used—literally, “kept crying.” Hosanna. This word is borrowed from the Hebrew and means “Save now” (Psa. 118:25). It is found in the Great Hallel (Psa. 113-118), which was sung at the Passover. Son of David. That is, Messiah (cf. 20:30; 22:42). The whole phrase may have come to be little more than a formula to express congratu lation or good wishes, somewhat like the English “God save the King.” Its original meaning was deeper, however. Blessed is he that cometh. Messiah was often
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BLACKBOARD LESSON
honor to Jesus? What kind of branches- were strewn in the way (John 12:13) ? In what way can we show similar honor to the Lord Jesus? V. 9. How was this company divided? What did they cry? What is the meaning of “Hosanna” ? What is involved in the title son of David? Who is often called in the Scripture the Coming One? Did all these honors prove that many of the people were convinced that Jesus was the Messiah ? V. 10. To what city did the procession move? What was the effect upon the people in the city? What question was asked by some of the citizens? Does this indicate that some had not been convinced that Jesus was Messiah? V- 11- What was the answer of the multitude? What did they mean by call ing Him the prophet? Was this confes sion sufficient, or should they have ac knowledged Him as the Messiah, the Son of God? Was Nazareth a place held in high esteem? Did the Jews expect their deliverance to come from Nazareth or out of Galilee (John 1:46; 7:41, 52)? * * * P ractical P o ints 1. Is this incident rightly called The Triumphal Entry? It ended in tragedy, not triumph. There is deep significance in Jesus’ final word to Jerusalem: “Be hold, your house is left unto you desolate. For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, until ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord” (23:38-39). This is a prediction that there is to be another triumphal entry in the future. To this, also, the prophetic Word agrees. When Israel recognizes and confesses that "the stone which the build ers rejected is become the head of the corner” (Psa. 118:22-26), Messiah’s vic tory will be complete. 2. Two . disciples who were willing to serve in a humble way, found themselves having a prominent part in doing honor to the great King. That points the way to true reward for the Christian (2 Tim. 2:12). 3. How strange the spectacle of a King approaching His own city amidst enthu siastic applause of the multitudes, and then stopping suddenly to weep! And those were not silent tears, but heart breaking sobs, aroused by pity for “his own” who would not receive Him (Luke 19:41-44). Zechariah (12:10-14) tells us that the tables will be turned one day when Israel shall look on Him whom they have pierced, and shall' mourn for Him. 4. Jesus received a popular but not an official welcome to His city. The rulers persistently resisted His claims and sought to silence the acclaim of the peo ple (Luke 19:39; Matt. 21:15-16). 5. The Lord hath need of every ser vant and of all the time, talent, and prop erty that every servant possesses. 6. Our Lord is still the Messenger of peace, but His presence and working even yet arouse the ungodly to hostility. 7. Popular applause may be sincere but superficial. It can quickly change to hate, because it is not based on knowledge and deep conviction. 8. “Who is this?” The world is stiff asking this question. The answer most frequently heard is, “He is a prophet.” It seems as if Jesus is held in greater respect among men today than in the past. Jews are more ready to acknowledge Him
spoken of as the Coming One, the expres sion being taken from such passages as Zech. 9:9; Mai. 4:1.; Ps. 118:26 (cf. Matt. 3:11; 11:3). Mark reads: “Blessed is the kingdom that cometh.” Luke says: Bless ed is the King that cometh.” Doubtless different persons in the crowd used these various expressions. Hosanna in the high est. That is, in the highest heavens (cf. Luke 2:14). It was a caff to God for blessing and salvation for His people but includes an expression of joy because the blessing seems to be at hand. Luke alone (19:41-44) introduces the story of Jesus weeping over the city. What a strange spectacle—an expectant multitude with glad acclaim honoring their King, and that King in tears! V. 10. Come into Jerusalem. Mark adds that He came into the Temple and “looked r o u n d about upon all t h i n g s . ” The city was stirred. The same verb is used to describe an earthquake (27:51; cf. 28: 4; Rev. 6:13). It indicates very great commotion. The city was rocked as with an earthquake. Who is this? The people accompanying Jesus evidently looked up on Him as Messiah. The citizens, either from curiosity or with skepticism, asked who it was that was so regarded.. V. 11. This is the prophet, Jesus, from Nazareth. Notice that some of the Jews were now ready to admit that Nazareth of Galilee might produce a prophet (cf. John 1:46; 7:41, 52), but they were not ready to go farther and accept Him as the Messiah. Perhaps some did not do so because of fear of their leaders. * * * . L esso n Q u est io n s ' V. 1. To what city was Jesus going? Had He been there before? Where was the Mount of Olives? Whom did Jesus send on an errand? V. 2. What were the disciples told to do? How did Jesus know what they would find? Did He have a right to de mand use of another man’s property? V. 3. What charge did He give His disciples? Does the Lord always receive from us what He needs? Vs. 4-5. What was His object in get ting the colt? What prophecy was ful filled? Did Jesus deliberately plan to ful fill this prophecy? Did the disciples un derstand it as a fulfillment of prophecy (John 12:14-16)? Why was the King to ride upon an ass and not upon a horse? Were Israel’s kings allowed to use horses (Deut. 17:15-16)? V. 6. Did the disciples obey? Can any one who is disobedient be a true disciple (John 15:14)? Did they find things as Jesus had told them? V. 7. How did they make ready for Jesus to ride? What was meant by their putting their garments under Him? V. 8. How did the multitude show
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