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THE KING’S BUSINESS
king!" The assent of the Rider and the dissent of the rulers constituted the most definite and public proclamation that Christ claimed the kingship and that the elders disclaimed the Christ. The prophet had foretold it all (Zech. 9:9; 7:11-14). Matthew Henry says that the ass was "borrowed”; that the Lord went to sea in a “borrowed” boat; ate the supper in a. “bor rowed” chamber; was buried in a “bor rowed” grave. There is truth for thought in that. But the beast was in fact a royal. levy, a levy right royally met at the word, “The Lord hath need of him.’’. He may well be a proud man who filled the King’s need that day, loan or levy. It shall be said of him, “There is the man on whose colt the Lord sat.” Who can hide his goods from such a King, one who knows the owner of each ass and ass’ colt on every street in every town? Lord, what have I that Thou hast need of today? Take it, it is thine own. Never anyone gave Him an ass that He did not “straightway Send it back” (v. 3, R. V.) the better. The un broke colt was made docile under Him, for beasts own Him whom' man disowns (ch. 1:13). An ass in the Orient was a fit mount for a King riding “meek” in a day of peace. Had Jesus ridden a war-horse He would have been welcomed by the fierce princes of Judah. It will be too late for them when He so comes, as so come He will (Rev. 19:11-16). 4. Not a “Triumphal Entry." Like many Scriptures this is misinterpreted and so misnamed. There is much “Triumphant Christianity” over which the keener eye weeps. There are enthusiastic multitudes that sing “Crown Him Lord of A ll!” which cannot “discern the signs of the times,” and mistake the Christ they think to crown. That can be no triumph for the Son of God, or the Son of David, which wants either permanency, intelligence, or sincer ity. The demonstration, on the temporary side, was not triumph but failure. It brought the Cross more certainly and speed ily. The hosannas were lip-honors (Isa. 29:13) only, the impulsive, evanescent ap-
4:32-37; John 11:43, 44). There, in that last week of conflict with men “more fierce than evening wolves,” the Shepherd Him self found rest beside still waters; there they spread a table before him in the pres ence of His enemies; and there they anointed His head with oil (John 12 :l-3) ; there the rod and staff of love and faith comforted Him in the Valley of the Shadow of Death, and no doubt He was strength ened for the “baptism” which He so longed to “accomplish” (Luke 12:50) at Jerusa lem for those “sheep of his pasture,” Mar tha, who “was serving” ; Mary who sat at His feet; and Lazarus, who obeyed His call even from the dark valley, and came forth as all saints will to sup with the Lord. Bethany is the bright spot in the sad Story; a foil in the dark tragedy which were it fiction, and not history, would set the author on the highest pinnacle of genius. So the Father does not leave us Comfortless, but affords the children of sor row some consolation even in the saddest hours; all the sweeter for the bitter; and gives every Martha and Lazarus the op portunity to feast and cheer the Lord Jesus in the way to the cross (Matt. 25:35-40). 2. The World at Jerusalem. It was the time of the great festival, the Passover. Millions, from all parts of the world, were at Jerusalem, lodged in its homes, or in booths and villages round about; and thronging the roads and streets by day. So the wise God ordered it that He might lift the Cross with “the Gift of God” upon it before and for all men. That was the meaning of the crowds and of the cries, “Hosanna!” and “Crucify!” They were beard around the world. 3. “ The Triumphal Entry." Jesus and His disciples joined the crowds thronging the slopes of Olivet and winding their way to the city. Knowing all that would take place, to give the Jews one more chance to own their king, Jesus sent for the ass, rode it into the gates (not yet “the gates of glory,” Ps. 24:7-10) and would not for bid the hosannas. “Hosanna, to the Son of David,” was the Jewish “God save the
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