Basic HTML Version
344
Humble Hero
“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!
Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem!
Behold, your King is coming to you;
He is just and having salvation,
Lowly and riding on a donkey,
A colt, the foal of a donkey.”
When the procession reached the top of the hill, Jesus and all the
multitude stopped. Before them lay Jerusalem in its glory, bathed in
the light of the setting sun. In regal grandeurs, the temple towered
above all else, the pride and glory of the Jewish nation for many
centuries. The Romans also took pride in its magnificence. Its
strength and richness had made it one of the wonders of the world.
While the setting sun made the heavens glow, its radiant glory
lighted up the pure white marble of the temple walls and sparkled
on its goldcapped pillars. From the hill where Jesus stood, it had the
appearance of a massive structure of snow, set with golden pinnacles,
shining as if with glory borrowed from heaven.
Jesus Breaks Down in Tears
Jesus gazed on the scene, and the crowds hushed their shouts,
spellbound by the sudden vision of beauty. All eyes turned to the
Savior. They were surprised and disappointed to see His eyes fill
with tears and His body rock back and forth like a tree in a storm. A
wail of anguish burst from His quivering lips, as if from a broken
heart. What a sight for angels to witness! What a sight for the
glad throng of people escorting Him to the glorious city, where they
hoped He was about to reign! This sudden sorrow was like a note of
wailing in a grand triumphal chorus. Israel’s King was in tears; not
silent tears of gladness, but of uncontrollable agony. The crowd was
struck with a sudden gloom. Many wept in sympathy with a grief
they could not comprehend.
Just ahead of Jesus was Gethsemane, where soon the horror
of a great darkness would overshadow Him. The sheepgate also
was in sight, through which for centuries the animals for sacrificial
offerings had been led. This gate was soon to open for Him, the great
Fulfillment, toward whose sacrifice all these offerings had pointed.