The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1910-03-22
PEOPLES
Sermon by
CHARLES T.
RUSSELL,
Pastor Brooklyn
Tabernacle.

Little did the Jews understand the
momentous Importance to them of the
event which Christians commemorate
on Palm Sunday. It will be remem-
bered that the incident occurred at the
close Of our Lords ministry-three and
half years after his baptism ut Jor-
dan and five days before his crucifx-
ioh. 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 was eaten. II was at that time
that Mary brought forth the box of
perfume, spikenard very valuable, aud
Herewith anointed our Lords head
and feet. 1t was the same occasion on
which Judas, in a wrong spirit, had
mvrmured against this expression OF
her loving devotion; that It was a
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
20 the disciples, "The poor ye have al
ways with you. And whensoever ye
will ye do hem good; but me ye have
mot 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 pCpulace. The incident had
been foretold by the Prophet zecha-
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" (Iechariah 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 La2arus) shouted
aloud. They were filed with enthusl-
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, carpet In the road leading
20 Jerusalem near by. The shout of
the people was just ns the prophet had
declared. They hailed Jesus as the
promised Son of David, the Messiah
dong waited for On previous oc-
caslons, when they sought - make
Jesus king, after witnessing his mar
velOus works, he withdrew ldmself
from them, to wait for their aIdOr to
cool, knowing that the Fathers time
was not yet due. But now be knew
that his hour was come ana hence,
instead Of hindering, he helped on
with the enthusiasm by sending for
the ass. etc. Prominent scctarlan Jews
present, although unable to account
for the miracle, were unprepared to
think OF Jesus as the true Messiah, or
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 ovu-
tion Jesus lntimated that IL was the
proper thing that because the Proph-
ct Zecha;iah Dix, 0l snid. "Shout, o
daughter OF Jcrusalcml' therefore
there must lie "A shout. If the people
had not shouted, rather than have the
prophecy so unful1led. Jesus said the
very stones would have cried out
lGuroute TO Jerusalem Jesus halted
the ass aud 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. unupprcciativcl As the
evangelist declares. Israel knew not
the tihIe of her visitation" The time
for Israel 10 receive the King had
come and they were not only ignorant
of the matter collectively. but they
were not IN the heart condition to
understand or appreciate, Jesus cried,
20 Jerusalem, Jerusalem. thou that
klllest the prophets, and stonest them
which are sent unto thee, how often
would | have gathered thy children
together, even as a hen gathereth her
chickens under her wings, aud ye
would mott" (Mntthew XIII, so For
three aud a half years he ana his faith
ful apostles had been declaring that
the Kingdom OF God was ut hand
that the people should repent and be
lleve the good message. And even
six months In advance OF this John
the Baptist aud his disciples had slmi
larly preached.
After those four years OF faithful
preaching throughout the length nnC
breadth OF Palestine the nation wai
apparently as unprepared for Jesus
as at the lrst. Hence our Lords fol
lowing words, Therefore | say unt(
you, Your house Ia left unto you desc
late. Ye shall see me no more untl
that day when ye shall say BLESSED