Arkansas State press. [volume] (Little Rock, Ark.) 1941-1959, 1949-04-29

The question was: Are you the
Messiah? This was the same as
asking. Are you the King2 Jesus
would not say Yes. because the
mere word would be taken to mean
'.revolutionist' or TRAITOR" But
he would not say No. because he
was a King; indeed of all men he
had the best right to the title.
Royal Entrance
'nUT WHEN the time came, Jesus
- did declare himself king In
spectacular way. We know the
story as the ''Trilrmphal Entry In.
to jerusalem" the story Of Palm
Sunday. now SO fresh In our minds.
Jesus lived In a nation of people
who were familiar with the mean.
Ing Of symbols. both In word and
action.
When Jesus rode Into the
ancient capital where his fore
fathers reigned, astride q mule
cslt, the people knew. and he
new they would know, that this
xaS Pei lust s""'- .
.....vuy riding
= mule on Sunday morning. In
the history Of <hc Hebrews,
mules were the steeds Of kings.
King Solomon was crowned riding
on Z mule. There was famous
prophecy Czech. $50 that when
Jerusalem's great king should
come. he would be riding on just
such a royal steed. So when Jesus
rode into Jerusalem, the people
threw their palm branches and
shouted their welcome, not to the
teacher and prophet. but to the
King.
Tears In Triumph
IT WAS NOT altogether a VIC
! FERROUS occasion. Jesus knew
too well how cheap and easy dem
constructions" can be. In his minds
eye he could see cross standing
outside Jerusalem. and in his inner
ear he could hear this same dusty
throated mob, now shouting
'Hosannal". yelling instead
Cruelty him!" Tears stood In
Jesus eyes. But they were not
tears for himself; he never wasted
energy in self-pity. They were
tears for that blind city, tears for
its coming destruction the city
that did not know the way to peace.
Master Of the Temple
pOLDER THAN JESUS triumphal
- entry was what he did inside
the city. II was one thing to claim
royal rights over the nation: but
st the temple Jesus claims reached
far higher. II should be remem-
bered that In the eyes Of all Jews
ri that time the Temple was abso-
lutely sacred. II represented the
dwelling place Of the invisible God.
Now the priests at that time were
more profiteers and politicians than
priests. They carried on what to-
day we call a racket" In the sale
Of animals for sacrifice and in
changing the ordinary money Of all
countries into the local Jewish
shekel lin which coin alone could
temple offerings be paid.
Tie racket was notorious;
every decent Jew hated the
priesly profiteers. But no one
had ever done anything about
IL. for that would mean assum-
Ing an authority over the temple
thai no man dared 10 assume.
Blu, Jesus took II on himself His
direct and even violent action In
smashing the racketeering ring was
q mark of something more thar
ordinary elf-confidence. He laid
claim TO being no less than the
Master OF Gods Temple. He was
acting IN the name Of God and with
the authority Of God.
Master of Man
vIyHEN THE CHRISTIAN church
w calls Jesus Lord" and king
today. We are making no claim fol
him which he did not make for him
self Whai we mean by these titles
is that JeS Christ, for us and fol
all men, is the authority above al
others.
tCopyrighi ~ the international coun
rtl f,f RslistIttu EdurHtiOn behAif