The Green Forest tribune., 1917-04-27

of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord-John 12:13
 This lesson marks the beginning of that last tragic week in the life of our Lord, the most important week in all history since creation. The date was probably April 1, A. D. 30
 |. The Lesson of His kinship. (vv. 12-16). Reading carefully the record of each evangelist, regarding this tri- umphal entry, we are still at loss fully to describe the scene. It oc- cured the day following the supper in the home of Mary and Martha and Lazarus, i. e. on the Jewish Sabbath. From Bethphage Jesus sent two of his disciples into Jerusalem to secure the colt. They were to loose him with out asking anyone's permission, and bring the ass and her colt to him to whom all things belong, with no other explanation than, "The Lord hath need of them" (Matt. 21 8. This command was in line with the prophecy Czech. 9:9O. The young ass was a symbol of peace, but the going of the disciples. in obedience to his command. was an act of faith, and obedience is the su- preme test of discipleship (John 15 :14). In response to their faith, they found everything just as he said it would be (Luke 19 :32). Placing their garments upon the colt (Matt. PED Jesus rode upon it toward the city, the people crying, "Hosanna literally Save. I beseech" CPS. 19 :37 40; see Luke 9:3S NIX. II :9-1O; Matt. 21: :9). The enthusiasm of the moment was tremendous. For the moment this great crowd (Mk II :S) believed that Jesus was really the Messiah, threw the garments of their holiday attire in his way (Matt. 21 :S), and cast their palm branches before him. The Phari- sees protested duke 19 :39-40), but the enemies of Jesus for the moment were impotent (John 12 :19). The Phari sees forgot their dignity to such an extent as to get excited along with the multitude, though with another pur- pose (See Luke 10 :3740).. Unfor tunately the enthusiasm of the peo- pie was not long-lived. Many of the same ones were soon crying Cruelty him. (Ch. 19 :14-15). Jesus himself did not join in the general joy (LuIe 19 :41-44),. for he, with prophetic eye, saw the outcome Uuke 10 :41-4D. All the city was stirred as Jesus entered (Matt. 21 :10). When he truly enters a city it is always stirred. It was not until after the resurrection that the disciples of Jesus understood the meaning of this event They then re- called what the prophet, Zechariah had said, and saw in the fulffllment of his prediction the Messiah of whom he spoke.
 II. The Lesson of Reverence (vv. IT. 19) It is one thing to acknowledge Jesus as a King. It is quite another to revere him as Lord and Savior. Never was there time when we need more to have reverence for things holy and for constituted authority than the present day. The act of reverence on
  anointed King ought to be suggestion to those who look upon Jesus merely as man.
 Ride triumphantly;
 Behold we lay
 Our lusts and proud wills in Thy way
 Jesus grief is in strange contrast with the joy of the multitude. The practical application for us today is: Have we cast our talents before him. Gods rightfully anointed King?" There had been large company of people present when Jesus was at the tomb of Lazarus, and raised him from the dead. The testimony of these eye witnesses to the power of Jesus must have had great weight with the multi tude. The enthusiasm of this crowd for Jesus excited the hatred of the PhariSeeS, making it all the more in- tense, for they saw the crowd forsak ing them, and following one whom they envied and hated. To one anoth. CT they exclaimed, Behold, how ye prevail nothing" Notice the personal pronoun "ye," seeking to lay the fault upon others rather than taking their own share of the burden another touch of human nature. which is evi. dent even today. It is very easy for present-day readers of the life of Jesus to be swept with enthusiasm, and to exclaim, Had I been there I would have gladly joined with the multitude's cry, and cast my garments before Jesus.' The more practical question Is, Are we willing today to crown him King?" Are we not more ire. quently joining in the carping criticism of the Pharisees? There is a day, how ever, when Jesus triumph will not be short-lived as it was that day in Je. rusalem (Matt 25 35-40) Before that glad day comes we may herald him as King by our testimonies in our day to the Christ-rejecting world, and thus we will be laying our palm branches of victory and our garments, which are of no value, before him who is alto gether worthy.
 III. The Lesson of the Greek Pii. grims (vv. 20-26). These Greeks came first to Philip, who himself was a Creek The hour had come (v. 23) when the work of Jesus for the Jews was to be finished. The Jews had been threatened with Greek religion and that assault had been stopped by the Pharisees. Christ came first to the Jews that through them he might