Chapter 13—Riding Into Jerusalem
Jesus was nearing Jerusalem to attend the Passover. He was sur-
rounded by multitudes who were also going up to this great yearly
feast.
At His command, two of the disciples brought an ass’s colt that He
might ride into Jerusalem. They spread their garments upon the beast,
and placed their Master upon it.
As soon as He was seated, a loud shout of triumph rent the air. The
multitude hailed Him as Messiah, their King. More than five hundred
years before, the prophet had foretold this scene:
“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; ... behold, thy King cometh
unto thee; ... lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of
an ass.”
Zechariah 9:9
.
All in the rapidly increasing throng were happy and excited. They
could not offer Him costly gifts, but they spread their outer garments,
as a carpet, in His path.
They broke off the beautiful branches of the olive and the palm,
and strewed them in the way. They thought they were escorting Christ
to take possession of the throne of David in Jerusalem.
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The Saviour had never before allowed His followers to show Him
kingly honors. But at this time He desired especially to manifest
Himself to the world as its Redeemer.
The Son of God was about to become a sacrifice for the sins of
men. His church in all succeeding ages must make His death a subject
of deep thought and study. It was necessary, then, that the eyes of all
people should now be directed to Him.
After such a scene as this, His trial and crucifixion could never
be hidden from the world. It was God’s design that each event in the
closing days of the Saviour’s life should be so plainly marked that no
power could cause it to be forgotten.
In the vast multitude surrounding the Saviour were the evidences
of His miracle-working power.
The blind whom He had restored to sight were leading the way.
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