The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1910-03-24
PEOPLES
Sermon by
CHARLES T.
RUSSELL,
Pastor Brooklyn
I abernacle.

O.-.".-.-.-.-s-.-.-s-.".~ .-,-s-.~.-s-e-.-s-.OOo
Little did the Jews understand the
momentous Importance to them of the
event which Christians commemorate
on Palm Sunday. 1t will be remem-
bered that the incident occurred at the
close of our Lords ministry-three and
a half years after his baptism at Jor-
dan and FIVE days before his crucifix-
ION. The Jewish Sabbath had been
spent in rest at Bethany. Lazarus,
whom Jesus awakened from the sleep
of death, with his sisters Mary and
Martha, prepared for Jesus a banquet,
and when the Sabbath closed the sup
per was eaten. 1t was ut that time
that Mary brought forth the box of
perfume, spikenard very valuable, and
Herewith anointed our Lords head
(And feet 1t was the same occasion on
which Judas, in a wrong spirit, had
murmured against this expression of
her loving devotion; that 1t was
waste; that preferably the money
should have been given to the poor. 1t
was then that the Master defended
Mary and announced that the anoint-
iug was for his burial (Which occurred
later the same week., and suggested
to the disciples, "The poor we have al
ways with you. And whatsoever We
will We do them good; but me we have
not always"
The next morning, the first day Of
the week, corresponding to our Sun
day, Jesus made ready for his tri
umphal entry into the city Of Jerusa-
lem as the Jewish King, according to
the custom of the Jewish kings riding
upon an ass and hailed and acclaimed
by the populace. The incident had
been foretold by the Prophet Zecha
riah in great detail saying, Rejoice
greatly, 0 daughter OF Zion shout, o
daughter OF Jerusalem; behold, thy
King cometh unto thee; he is just and
having salvation; lowly, and riding
upon an ass" (Zechariah tx, 81.
Prophecy Must Be Fulfilled.
When the apostles had brought the
ass and Jesus sat thereon, the large
concourse of people (Which had come
from Jerusalem TO see Jesus because
of his awakening Of Lazarus) shouted
aloud. They were filled with enthusi-
.asm and, after the manner Of the time,
some broke Off palm branches for the
ass TO step upon: others laid their gar
ments in the way and thus formed, as
1T were, a carpet in the road leading
to Jerusalem near by. The shout of
the people was just as the prophet had
declared. They hailed Jesus as the
promised Son Of David. the Messiah
limo itad for On nraviOnS
~casions, when they sought to make
Jesus king, after witnessing his mar
velous works, lie withdrew himself
from them, to wait for their ardor to
cool, knowing that the Fathers time
was not yet due. But now he knew
that. his hour was come and hence
instead of hindering. he helped on
with the enthusiasm by sending fol
the ass, etc. Prominent sectarian Jews
present, although unable to account
for the miracle, were unprepared to
think Of Jesus as the true Messiah, OF
anything short Of an impostor in that
role. When these heard the multitude
shouting and addressing Jesus as the
Messiah they were offended and sent
word to Jesus that he should restrain
the ignorant people who were thus ac-
claiming him.
But instead Of forbidding the ova-
ton Jesus intimated that it was the
proper thing, that because the Proph.
ct Zechanah Xix, ~ said. shout, O
daughter of Jerusalem!' therefore
there must be shout If the people
had not shouted rather than have the
Vrnnbacu no nf. 4 I,r
very stones would have cried out
Enroute to Jerusalem Jesus halted
the ass and the procession at the top
of the Mount of Olives and. overlook
ing the Holy City. wept while he
pronounced his sentence upon it
Unworthy Unappreciative. AS the
evangelist declares Israel knew not
the time of her visitation" The time
for Israel to receive the King had
come and they were not only ignorant
of the matter collectively, but they
were not in the heart condition tc
understand or appreciate. Jesus cried
80 Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that
Ilillest the prophets. and stonest then
which are sent unto thee, how often
would / have gathered thy children
\ together, even as a hen gathereth hei
chickens under her wings, and "
would not.' Nlatthew xiii, 80 Fol
three and half years he and his faith
full apostles had been declaring thai
the Kingdom of God was at hand
that the people should repent and be
lieve the good message And ever
six months in advance Of this Jobr
the Baptist and his disciples had SINH
fairly preached.
After those four years Of faithful
preaching throughout the length ant
breadth OF Palestine. the nation wal
apparently as unprepared for Jesu:
as at the first. Hence our Lords fol
lowing words. therefore say unit
you. Your house is left unto you desc
fate, Ye shall see me no more unit
that day when We shall say-Blesset
is he that cometh in the name of thu
Lordw That day has not yet come
Meantime the Jewish nation was Their,
cast off from fellowship with God, al
the prophet declares, Because the!
knew not the time of their visitation
Israel has been outcast from ma
tional favor for more than eighteen