270
The Spirit of Prophecy Volume 2
study. Every fact connected with it should be verified beyond a doubt.
It was necessary, then, that the eyes of all people should be directed to
him, that the demonstrations which preceded his great sacrifice should
be such as to call the attention of all to the sacrifice itself. After such
an exhibition as that attending his entry into Jerusalem, all eyes would
follow his rapid progress to the final end.
The startling events connected with this triumphal ride were cal-
culated to be the talk of every tongue, and bring Jesus before every
mind. After his crucifixion these events would be connected with his
trial and death; prophecies would be searched and would reveal the
fact that this was indeed the Messiah; and converts to the faith of Jesus
would be multiplied in all lands. In this one triumphant scene of his
earthly life, the Saviour might have appeared escorted by heavenly
[387]
angels and heralded by the trumps of God; but he remained true to the
life of humiliation he had accepted, bearing the burden of humanity
till his life was given for the life of the world.
This day, which seemed to the disciples the crowning day of their
lives, would have been shadowed with gloomy clouds had they known
that this scene of rejoicing was but a prelude to the suffering and
death of their Master. Although he had repeatedly told them of his
certain sacrifice, yet in the glad triumph of the present they forgot his
sorrowful words, and looked forward to his prosperous reign on the
throne of David. New accessions were being made continually to the
procession, and, with few exceptions, all who joined it caught the glad
inspiration of the hour, and helped to swell the hosannas that echoed
and re-echoed from hill to hill and from valley to valley. The shouts
went up continually, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He that
cometh in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” It was as if
all that vast multitude were seeking to excel one another in responding
to the call from a prophetic past.
Many Pharisees witnessed the scene, and, burning with envy and
malice, sought to turn the popular current. They exercised all the
authority which they could command to repress the enthusiasm of the
people; but all their appeals and threatenings were in vain. Fearful that
this multitude, in the strength of their numbers, would lift Jesus to the
position of king, they, as a last resort, pressed through the crowd and
[388]
accosted him with reproving and threatening words: “Master, rebuke
thy disciples.” They declared that such noisy and excited demonstra-