The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1914-07-30


count of the last week Of our Lords
life and 425 to all the balance. Mat
thew devotes seven chapters and Luke
five. If all Of the life of Jesus had
been given to us in like ratio it would
have taken at least 81 volumes in
which to tell us the story.
Today's lesson is the introduction
to that week. We must consider his
entry In it's light upon the whole
movement Of his life. His instruc
tons how to secure the colt seem to
indicate his intention to provoke a
demonstration. Though often in Je
rusalem before, this was a different
occasion, and for a different purpose.
Before he did not provoke his con-
t1icts, now he courts publicity, that he
may fasten his claims upon the at
tention of all
Tes, Of Faith.
|. "1-he Lord hath need Of him."
w. ~. 1t was a test Of faith for these
disciples to obey the Lords command
". o., yet they did precisely what
they were commanded to do ". g..
Obedience is the supreme test of dis
cipleship, John 1914 When the dis
ciples entered the village ". u they
found the colt "whereon no man ever
yet sat- Jesus knew all and had
the keys to the human heart. Perhaps
| this colt belonged to a disciple, hence
the willingness to let it be used for
the occasion Jesus was for the first
and only time assuming.
| Monv diccip1nc oro NOT ui11ipo hQ
so explicitly and simply obedient.
This obedience is heightened when
we remember how the disciples had
followed Jesus towards Jerusalem
amazed" and perplexed.
Those who stood by asked the very
question suggested by Jesus, v. 6 CT.
" 8. AS these disciples cast their
garments upon the colt for Jesus to
sit upon, they proclaimed their al
legiance to him as king.
II. "Hosanna" w. 8-11. Literally,
save now" Ps. 1925, 26. His en-
try was characterized by a remarkable
outbreak of enthusiasm. Before this
only the disciples accepted his king
dom claims, now the multitude found
their expression Of qualification. Pass
ing into the city, sitting upon the colt,
he was accompanied by their chants
Of praise. Their first word was, "Ho-
sanna"-their last "Hosanna in the
highest" Between these they ex-
claimed, blessed is the kingdom that
cometh, of our father David" 1t has
been suggested that this host was made
up largely of Galileans, and that theirs
70 aj% %0
the one who was coming, hence their
double blessing to the king and to the
kingdom. Jesus seems to have yield
ed his whole soul to this glad acclaim
1t was a necessary part of that dig
nifty which should properly be accord
ed to the Messiah on this his last
entry into the Holy City. This sug
gestion about the Galileans may ex
plain the cry uttered the last part OF
the week by the citizens of Jerusalem
Cruelty him" Still we feel sure
that many of this same crowd joined
this latter cry. The use of the WORD
many" ". s. seems to indicate thai
everyone joined the acclamations Of
Joy. The time is coming, however
when every knee shall bend and every
tongue confess him as lord indeed
Phil. ,2:1O, II. Many today refuse tt
!, accord him his just need of praise
Effect Of Psychology.
Some of that crowd were doubtless
moved by the psychology of thu
, crowd" and their devotion was short
: lived. It is not hard to imagine tn,
: effect this strange procession mus
|
5 moved on to the temple. Some threw
l their garments upon the ground t,
r pave his way. Others took pain
l branches John 1919 and strewe,
2 them in his path. To those Of US VIII,
ofttimes feel as though we fain woul'
have shared that brief moment o
glory, we should recall the fact tina
day of permanent triumph Is com
ing in which we shall have a part
, Until that glad day we may herald tn
:, coming king and the final gloriou
- kingdom.
y Some Of the Pharisees cried GU
= against this demonstration, Luke 10
80, but the Master replied, IF thes
:. should hold their peace the stone
- would Immediately cry OUT Luke 10
= 40. From Luke's account we see tina
Jesus did not seem to share the 10
Of that day, Luke 19:40-44 He sa'
the end from the beginning, and RICH
% ly estimated, at it's true value, tn
evanescent adu!ation of the GROVE
Summary. This is a strange triumph
What a variety Of emotions it mus
have aroused. Those Of the disciple
% the crowd, the Jewish sects, the R.
a. man soldiers and citizens, and in tn
Q" breast of Jesus. How different tina
Is the triumphal professions of Rom
re Heaven also saw the events of tn;
N day.
~ The clothing cast before him speal
at of sacrifice on his behalf The chan
If ing Of childrens voices we're a prop
1r ecy of his ultimate victory and tt
OF umph. The falling shadows of tt
ct evening was a portent Of the dark,
cloud Of Calvary and final darkne.
reserved for unbelievers.
The disciples and the multitude wei
tn filled with hope. The Galileans poure
ct forth their paean of praise and exult
I'D ton. The Unlocking rulers Of Israe
m already nlOtfinQ his arrest po1,sf no,