Basic HTML Version
Jesus Acclaimed as Israel’s King
341
While the westering sun was gilding the heavens, its resplendent
glory lighted up the pure white marble of the temple walls and
sparkled on its gold-capped 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 upon the scene, and the multitude hushed their
shouts, spellbound by the sudden vision of beauty. All eyes turned
upon the Saviour. They were surprised and disappointed to see His
eyes fill with tears and His body rock to and fro like a tree before the
tempest. A wail of anguish burst from His quivering lips, as if from
a broken heart. What a sight for angels to behold! What a sight for
the glad throng that were 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 insuppressible agony. The
[384]
multitude were struck with a sudden gloom. Many wept in sympathy
with a grief they could not comprehend.
Just before 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 beasts for sacrificial offerings
had been led. This gate was soon to open for Him, the great Antitype,
toward whose sacrifice all these offerings had pointed. Nearby was
Calvary, the scene of His approaching agony. Yet His was no selfish
sorrow. The thought of His own agony did not intimidate that noble,
self-sacrificing soul. It was the sight of Jerusalem that pierced the
heart of Jesus—Jerusalem that had rejected the Son of God, scorned
His love, and was about to take His life. He saw what she might
have been had she accepted Him who alone could heal her wound.
How could He give her up?
Israel had been a favored people; God had made their temple His
habitation; it was “beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth.”
Psalm 48:2
. In it Jehovah had manifested His glory, the priests had
officiated, and the pomp of symbol and ceremony had gone on for
ages. But all this must have an end. Jesus waved His hand toward the
doomed city, and in grief exclaimed, “If thou hadst known, even thou,