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THE KING’S BUSINESS
consequently short-lived. We see here how little dependence can be placed upon popu lar enthusiasm; the ' same crowd that is here crying “Hosanna: blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord, even the king of Israel,” In a few days will be shouting, “Crucify Him, crucify Him.” In entering Jerusalem in just the way He did our Lord was literally fulfilling Zechariah’s prophecy concerning Him (cf. Zech. 9:9). Even Jesus’ own disciples did not under stand this at the time, but after His resur rection and ascension they remembered that these things had been written of Him, and that they had done the very things that were written. The people who had- been at Bethany when Jesus had called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead, testified to ' what they had seen on that occasion, and this led to many going out with the crowd to meet Him. Even though the enthusiasm was superficial and transient it was most fitting that they should cast the palm branches in His way. We too can strew flowers in the path of. Jesus by taking them to the rooms of His poor and sick and lonely ones (cf. Matt. 25:40). It sometimes seems as if I would like to have been there and to have had some little part in this.one brief day’s tri umph during our Lord’s earthly life. But there is coming another day of permanent triumph that we may have part in if we will, and until that glad day comes we can herald Him as King in our testimony and song, and we can pave the way before Him with acts of kindness to those who need them. The honor rendered to the Lord Jesus only made the Pharisees more bitter in their hate, and with hearts full of malice and murder they mutter, “Lo, the world has gone after Him.” Sunday, July 9 . John 12 : 20 - 26 . There was probably more than mere curiosity in the request of these Greeks, but it is not likely that they realized its full significance. On our really seeing Jesus depends our salvation, eternal life, gladness and likeness to Him (Jno. 3:14,
Mary herself and upon her act He bestowed the highest possible praise, saying “She hath done what she could” (Mark 14:8). Mary was not looking for fame when she performed this act, but she obtained fame immortal. Jesus bestowed Upon her such commendation as He has bestowed upon no other person, and the wonderful pre diction that He made to her in this connec tion has been fulfilled to the letter (cf. Matt. 26:13): Mary had satisfied the Sav iour’s heart. How had she done it? By just pouring out her heart’s adoration, she worshipped. Martha was in part taken up with her service, Lazarus was in part taken up with his enjoyment, but Mary was -wholly taken up with Jesus Himself. It would be pleasant to our Lord if we too, in this busy, bustling age, this age of cease less activity, .and this age too of spiritual feasts, were more taken-up with Himself than either with our service or our experi ence. Mary’s love was utterly forgetful of itself, forgetful of surroundings, uncalcu lating of cost, regardless of criticism. It poured itself out utterly. Whence this love? The. answer is right here before us. Mary had understood a message that apparently no one else grasped, certainly none of the Apdstles as yet: she understood that Jesus was about to die for her (v. 7, R. V.). Judas on his part was stung to the quick by the searching, though gentle rebuke of Jesus (Matt. 26:14). He hurries to Jesus’ enemies to strike a bargain with them for the betrayal of his Lord. He seeks to get back part of the money he had lost by Mary’s not putting the three hundred pieces of silver (v. 5) into the bag. He comes in upon the priests just as they are plot ting Jesus’ destruction, and the bargain is soon closed. Contrast these two pictures: Mary spending her all to anoint her Sav iour for His burial; Judas selling Him for a paltry sum of money. Saturday, July 8 . John 12 : 12 - 19 . The crowd -welcomed Jesus with great enthusiasm, but they were unintelligent in. their devotion, it had no depth and was
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