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Humble Hero
Himself King, and assert His royal power. Excitement spread far
and near, raising the expectations of the people to the highest pitch.
Christ was following the Jewish custom for a royal entry.
Prophecy had foretold that the Messiah would come to His kingdom
in this way. No sooner was He seated on the colt than the crowd pro-
claimed Him as Messiah, their King. In imagination, the disciples
and the people saw the Roman armies driven from Jerusalem and
Israel once more an independent nation. They all tried to outdo one
another in paying Him honor and the respect of royalty. Unable to
present Him with costly gifts, they spread their outer garments as
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a carpet in the path and strewed the leafy branches of the olive and
the palm in the way. With no royal banners to wave, they cut down
the spreading palm fronds, nature’s emblem of victory, and waved
them high in the air.
Spectators mingling with the crowds asked, “Who is this? What
does all this commotion signify?” They knew that Jesus had discour-
aged all efforts to place Him on the throne, and they were astonished
to learn that this was He. What had brought about this change in
Him who had declared that His kingdom was not of this world?
From the great numbers gathered to attend the Passover, thou-
sands greeted Him with palm branches waving and with a burst
of sacred song. The priests at the temple sounded the trumpet for
evening service, but few responded, and the rulers said to one another
in alarm, “The world has gone after Him!”
Why Jesus Permitted This Demonstration
Never before had Jesus permitted such a demonstration. He
clearly foresaw the result. It would bring Him to the cross. But
He wanted to call attention to the sacrifice that was to crown His
mission to a fallen world. He, the One who fulfilled the symbol of
the Lamb, voluntarily set Himself apart as a sacrifice. His church
in all the ages to follow must make His death a subject of deep
thought and study. Every fact connected with it should be verified
beyond a doubt. The events that preceded His great sacrifice must
call attention to the sacrifice itself. After such a demonstration as
the one that marked His entry into Jerusalem, all eyes would follow
His rapid progress to the final scene. This triumphal ride would be