The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1910-03-24
PEOPLES
Sermon by
CHARLES T.
RUSSELL.
Pastor Brooklyn
| abernacle.

nOlnentOuS Importance 10 lneIn VI Jne
event which Christians commemorate
on Palm Sunday II will be remem.
bered that the incident occurred ut the
close of our Lords ministry-three and
n half years after his baptism at Jor-
IAN and five days before bis crucifix
ion. The Jewish sabbath had been
spent I'm rest at Bethany. Lazarus,
whom Jesus awakened from the sleep
IF death, with his sisters Mary and
Martha. prepared for Jesus banquet,
and when the Sabbath closed the sup.
per was eaten. 1t was at that time
perfume, spikenard very valuable. and
herewith anointed our Lords head
and feet. II was the same occasion on
which Judas, I'm wrong spirit. had
nurmured against this expression of
her loving devotion; that 1t was a
waste; that preferably the money
should have been given to the poor. 1t
vas then that the Master defended
Mary and announced that the anoint
ng was for his burial (Which occurred
later the same week. and suggested
% the disciples, The poor We have al.
ways with you. And whatsoever ye
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
ne custom of the Jewish kings riding
upon an ass and hailed and acclaimed
by the populace. The incident had
been foretoid by the Prophet Zecha-
rlah in great detail, saying. "Rejoice
realty, o 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, %.
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
oi his awakening of Lazarusl shouted
aloud. They were filed with enthusi.
ism 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
II were. carpet In the road leading
to Jerusalem near by The shout of
the people was just as the prophet he'd
declared. They hailed Jesus as the
% H. \,
long waited for On previous oc-
casions, when they sought to make
Jesus king, after witnessing his mar
v"lOus works. he Withdrew himself
from them. to wait for their ardOr to
cool, knowing that the Fathers tine
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 for
the ass. etc. Prominent sectarian Jews
present, although unable to account
for the miracle, were unprepared t.
think Of Jesus MS the true Messiah. CT
anything short of I'm impostor in that
role. When these heard the multitude
and addressing Jesus as the
Messiah they were offended and sent
word to Jesus that he should restrain
he ignorant people who were thus ac-
him.
But instead of forbidding the ova-
lion Jesus intimated that il was the
proper thing, that because the Proph-
ct Zechariah QX, ~ said, "Shout, o
laughter of Jerusalemr' therefore
here must be shout. If the people
had not shouted, rather than have the
prophecy go unfulflled. Jesus said the
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.
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
We're not In the heart condition to
or appreciate. Jesus cried,
20 Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that
iillest the prophets. and stonest them
which are sent unto thee, how often
would have gathered thy children
together, even as hen gathereth her
chickens under her wings, and ye
would not" (Matthew xiii, 37.) For
three and half years he and his faith
ful apostles had been declaring that
the Kingdom of God was at hand;
that the people should repent and be-
lieve the good message. And even
six months in advance of this John
the Baptist and his disciples had SINH
larly preached.
After those four years OF faithful
preaching throughout the length and
breadth OF Palestine, the nation was
apparently as unprepared for Jesus
as at the first. Hence our Lords fol-
lowing words. Therefore ! say unto
you, Your house Is left unto you DESC
late! Ye shall see me no more until
that day when We shall say-Blessed
Is he that cometh in the name of the
Lordw That day has not yet come.
Meantime the Jewish nation was there
cast OFF from fellowship with God, as