The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1910-03-23
Sermon bv
CHARLES T.
RUSSELL,
Pastor Brooklyn
abernacle.

(-s-s-s-s-.-.-.-s-.-s-s-
Little did The Jews understand the
lnomcntous Importance to them Of the
event which Christians commemorate
on Palm Sunday. II viii be remem-
bered that the incident occurred at the
close of our Lords ministry-three and
half years after his baptism ut Tor-
dan and five days before his crucilX-
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 banquet,
and when the Sabbath closed the sup
per WIS eaten 1t WAS at 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 it 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-
ing 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-
umpha entry into the city of .Ierusa-
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 Zeeha
riah in great detail, saying. REJOICE
greatly. 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" tZechariah tx. %.
Prophecy Must Be Fulfilled
When the apostles had brought the
ass and Jesus sat thereon. the large
coneourse of people (Which had come
from Jerusalem to see Jesus because
of his awakening of Lazarusl 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
it were. a carpet in The road leading
70 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
long waited fer. ON previous oe=
caSionS, when they sought TO make
Jesus a king, after witnessing his mar
velous works. he withdrew himself
from them. To wait for their ardor IL
cool, knowing that the Fathers time
WAS moi vet due But now he knew
that his hour was come and hence.
instead of hindcring. he helped
with the enthusiasm by sending for
the ass. ctc. Prominent sectarian Jews
present. although unable To account
for the miracle. were uuprcparcd Il
think Of Jesus rs The true Messiah I
anything short of an impoStor in that
role When these heard the multitud,
shouting and addressing Jesus as the
Messiah they We're offended and sem
word To Jesus that he should restrain
the ignorant people who were thus NJ
claiming him.
But instead of forbddns the ova
ton Jesus intimated that IL was the
proper thing. that because the Proph
ct Xcchariah dN. - said shout.
daughter of Icrusalcm.' therefor,
there must he u shout II the people
had not shouted, rather than have the
prophecy 80 mfnlIled, Jesus said the
very stones would have cried out
Enroute 10 Jerusalem Jesus halted
the ass ana 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, nappreciaiivc, 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 ignoral {
of the matter collectively. but they
We're not IN the heart condition To
understand or appreciate, Jesus cried,
- Jerusalem Jerusalem. thou that
killcSt the prophets, and stonest them
which arr SEM unto thee. how often
would | have gathered thy children
together. even us hen gathereth her
chickens under her wings. and We
would not fNlatthew Nxili. 81 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
lieEc the good message And even
six months in advance Of this John
the Baptist and his disciples had simi
larry preached
After those four years OF faithful
preaching throughout the length and
breadth of Palestine. the nation was
apparently as uuprepared for Jesus
- at the first Hence our Lords fol
lowing words. "rhcreforc | say unto
Ven. Your house Is left unto you desc
late. Ne SHAH sec me ne more until
hat day when We shall say blessed
is he that cometh in the name Of the
ord" Tha day has not vet come
Meantime the Jewish nation VAS there
cast off trom fellowship with cod rs
he prorhl declares "Recluee they
knew not IT. ;imo Of their visitation -
Israel ha~ bpau an nj fraa IA
tional favor Tor mar" than eighteen
centuries. Thank God the day is near
ut hand. when, at the second coming of
Messiah, his Kingdom shall be turned
over to them And then. as he de
clares they viii be glad TO say. Bless
ed is he that cometh IN the name of
the Lord" The long centuries of per
secution and separation from Gods
favor Will have brought that people
10 humber condition OF heart, where
they will be glad TO receive Of Divine
grace upon Divine terms. To this
great event st. Paul refers us In Ro-
mans ri 27-3i.
Although God foreknew all that had
happened the offer of the Kingdom to
Israel was Just as bona-fide, just as
genuine. as though he had not known