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Jesus Acclaimed as Israel’s King
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in imagination saw the Roman armies driven from Jerusalem and
Israel once more an independent nation. All vied with one another
in paying Him homage. Unable to present Him with costly gifts,
they spread their outer garments as a carpet in the path and strewed
the leafy branches of the olive and the palm in the way. With no
royal standards to wave, they cut down the spreading palm boughs,
Nature’s emblem of victory, and waved them aloft.
Spectators mingling with the throng asked, Who is this? What
does all this commotion signify? They knew that Jesus had discour-
aged all effort to place Him on the throne, and were astonished to
learn that this was He. What wrought this change in Him who had
declared that His kingdom was not of this world?
From the multitudes gathered to attend the Passover, thousands
greeted Him with the waving of palm branches and 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 desired to call attention to the sacrifice that was to crown His
mission to a fallen world. He, the antitypical Lamb, by a voluntary
act set Himself apart as an oblation. His church in all succeeding
ages must make His death a subject of deep thought and study. Every
fact connected with it should be verified beyond a doubt. The events
which preceded His great sacrifice must call attention to the sacrifice
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itself. After such a demonstration as that attending His entry into
Jerusalem, all eyes would follow His rapid progress to the final
scene. This triumphal ride would be the talk of every tongue and
bring Jesus before every mind. After His crucifixion, many would
recall these events and be led to search the prophecies. They would
be convinced that Jesus was the Messiah.
This day, which seemed to the disciples the crowning day of
their lives, would have been shadowed with clouds had they known
it was but a prelude to the death of their Master. He had repeatedly