The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1940-01-25
JESUS DRAMATICALLY PRO-
CLAIMS HIS MESSIAHSHIP

LESSON TEXT-Matthew 2l:I-l6.
GOLDEN TEXT-Behold thy King com.
eth unto thee.-Matthew 2l:5.
The official presentation of Him
self to the Jewish people as their
King, their rejection of Him, and
what was even more solemnly
meaningful, His rejection of the He
brew nation because of unbelief-
such are the stirring events which
face us as we enter with our Lord
into the last week of His earthly
life. The first event in that sequence
is the one we study in our lesson for
today, namely, the coming of the
King to Jerusalem. Jesus on this
occasion did very dramatic and
unusual thing, fact which indicates
that here is an incident of extraor-
binary import to which we do well
to give careful study.
1. Preparation and Presentation
wv. 1-O.
The King comes, but even in His
hour of royal triumph He gives to
His followers the unexplainable but
inestimable joy of meeting His need.
l. "The Lord Hath Need" wv.
1-4). He had need of disciples who
would do His bidding without ques-
ton or hesitation-"and the disci-
pies went, and did even as Jesus
had appointed them" ". g.. How
precious is such obedience! Let us
0lcn on6 IN 1ryo of IL I1
He needed the colt and the ass.
How simple and lowly was that
need, and yet how glorious that a
man was ready to meet it! Gods
plans are worked out in the little
things as well as the great. Proph-
aecy was being fulfilled here (see
v. 81 by little thing. Is God wait
ing to carry out some great pur-
pose through some little thing which
you are withholding from Him? Why
hinder Him any longer?
2. Behold Thy King Cometh"
wv. SD. Though He did not come
with the pomp and trappings of an
earthly potentate, the King of Glory
came to His people to offer them
for the last time the opportunity to
receive Him. He asks you to yield
your life to His kingship. What will
your answer be?
ii. Acceptance and Rejection wv.
8-11, Is, 16).
/. 1.-THE Multitude Cried =.
Hosanna" wv. 8-11). The fact that
before the week was over many of
the same voices cried, Cruelty
Him!" should not obscure the fact
that there were childlike believers
". 16) who really had faith in
Christ. There is something inspir-
ing about that picture of enthusiasm
and devotion Real faith in Christ
ought to result in fervor of spirit
which will stir our hearts and our
cities. Are we not altogether too
dead and formal, in much of our
worship today? Do we not need more
holy enthusiasm for Christ and for
His Church?
2. "The Chief Priests and Scribes
81. We're Sore Displeased" wv. Is,
16). Small wonder, for not only had
the children put them to open shame
by recognizing the Christ whom they
had ignored, but He had in turn
ruined their polite religious racket
which produced for them such a
lovely profit. Mark this-when any,
one is displeased with Jesus or with
His true children or with His work
on earth, you can be sure that there
is a reason, and not a holy, upright
or good reason either!
iii. Judgment and Compassion
wv. 12-14).
What a remarkable picture! In the
midst of flaming judgment and de-
struction we find loving compassion
upon the blind and the lame. Folk
who think that Christ has no mes
sage but love need to look on Him
as He cleanses the temple. On the
other hand, those who think that He
has no word but judgment need to
behold Him as He stands in the
midst of the overturned tables and
debris and heals the needy. Incon-
sistent? Not at all. God is love, but
He is also absolute holiness.
/. "Jesus Cast Out and Over
threw wv. IL, 13). He knew where
to begin to cleanse the city. He
started in the temple. Absolutely
right is the man who suggested
that the place to start to clean up
city is not in the slums but in the
churches. You will be ready to clean
out the tavern or that other low
place where the gang hangs out in
your town after you have cleaned
out the church. The same is true
of the individual. A regenerated
heart will bring reformed life, not
vice versa.
2. "He Healed Them" ". 14). The
very hands which had just over
thrown the tables and cast out the
money-changers now gently touched
the lame and the blind with heal
ing. The eyes which had blazed
with holy Indignation now shone with
love and compassion. The scene of
Judgment and chaos became the
house of prayer and of answered
prayer. On the very spot where one
man had received condemnation, an
other received healing. Each one
received that which he sought by his,
action. How will you, my dear
Iaader,, meet Jesus--as your Judge
or as your Saviour? You must make
the choice. h.