Sun,
Jul 6
1. ON THE MOUNT OF OLIVES
a. As Jesus and His disciples approached Jerusalem, with what instructions did He send two of them in advance? Matthew 21:1–5.
“Jesus had sent two of His disciples to bring to Him an ass and its colt. At His birth the Saviour was dependent upon the hospitality of stran-gers. The manger in which He lay was a borrowed resting place. Now, although the cattle on a thousand hills are His, He is dependent on a stranger’s kindness for an animal on which to enter Jerusalem as its King.”—The Desire of Ages, pp. 569, 570.
b. Describe the action of the disciples. Matthew 21:6, 7.
“The disciples, with glad enthusiasm, spread their garments on the beast, and seated their Master upon it. Heretofore Jesus had always traveled on foot, and the disciples had at first wondered that He should now choose to ride. But hope brightened in their hearts with the joyous thought that He was about to enter the capital, proclaim Himself King, and assert His royal power.”—Ibid., p. 570.
Mon,
Jul 7
2. A JOYFUL MOMENT
a. When the multitude heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, what did they do? John 12:12, 13.
“While on their errand [the disciples] communicated their glowing expectations to the friends of Jesus, and the excitement spread far and near, raising the expectations of the people to the highest pitch.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 570.
b. What led the multitude to hail Jesus as the Messiah on that joyous occasion? Zechariah 9:9; John 12:14, 15.
“Christ was following the Jewish custom for a royal entry. The animal on which He rode was that ridden by the kings of Israel, and prophecy had foretold that thus the Messiah should come to His kingdom. No sooner was He seated upon the colt than a loud shout of triumph rent the air. The multitude hailed Him as Messiah, their King. Jesus now accepted the homage which He had never before permitted, and the disciples received this as proof that their glad hopes were to be realized by seeing Him established on the throne.”—Ibid.
c. How did the people eager for deliverance echo with joy the words of the Psalmist? Matthew 21:9; Psalm 118:26.
“The multitude were convinced that the hour of their emancipation was at hand. In imagination they saw the Roman armies driven from Jerusalem, and Israel once more an independent nation. All were happy and excited; the people vied with one another in paying Him homage. They could not display outward pomp and splendor, but they gave Him the worship of happy hearts. They were unable to present Him with costly gifts, but they spread their outer garments as a carpet in His path, and they also strewed the leafy branches of the olive and the palm in the way. They could lead the triumphal procession with no royal standards, but they cut down the spreading palm boughs, Nature’s emblem of victory, and waved them aloft with loud acclamations and hosannas.”—Ibid.
Tue,
Jul 8
3. FULFILLMENT OF PROPHECY
a. How did some of the Pharisees react to the demonstration of praise for Christ? John 12:19; Luke 19:39.
“Many Pharisees witnessed the scene, and, burning with envy and malice, sought to turn the current of popular feeling. With all their authority they tried to silence the people; but their appeals and threats only increased the enthusiasm. They feared that this multitude, in the strength of their numbers, would make Jesus king. As a last resort they pressed through the crowd to where the Saviour was, and accosted Him with reproving and threatening words: ‘Master, rebuke Thy disciples.’ They declared that such noisy demonstrations were unlawful, and would not be permitted by the authorities.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 572.
b. What answer did Jesus give them? Luke 19:40.
“That scene of triumph was of God’s own appointing. It had been foretold by the prophet, and man was powerless to turn aside God’s purpose. Had men failed to carry out His plan, He would have given a voice to the inanimate stones, and they would have hailed His Son with acclamations of praise.”—Ibid., p. 572.
“As well might the priests and rulers attempt to deprive the earth of the shining face of the sun, as to shut from the world the beams of glory from the Sun of Righteousness. In spite of all opposition, the kingdom of Christ was confessed by the people.”—God’s Amazing Grace, p. 47.
“The work of God will ever go forward, in spite of all that man may do to hinder it or tear it down.”—The Story of Jesus, p. 85.
c. How was this amazing outburst a fulfillment of prophecy, as recognized by many in the crowd? Zechariah 9:9.
“As the silenced Pharisees drew back, the words of Zechariah were taken up by hundreds of voices. [Zechariah 9:9 quoted.]”—Ibid., p. 572–575.
Wed,
Jul 9
4. ALL EYES ON CHRIST
a. For what purpose did Jesus permit such a great demonstration on the day of His triumphal entry into Jerusalem? John 12:16, 23–28.
“Never before in His earthly life had Jesus permitted such a demonstration. He clearly foresaw the result. It would bring Him to the cross. But it was His purpose thus publicly to present Himself as the Redeemer. He desired to call attention to the sacrifice that was to crown His mission to a fallen world. While the people were assembling at Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover, He, the antitypical Lamb, by a voluntary act set Himself apart as an oblation. It would be needful for His church in all succeeding ages to make His death for the sins of the world a subject of deep thought and study. Every fact connected with it should be verified beyond a doubt. It was necessary, then, that the eyes of all people should now be directed to Him; the events which preceded His great sacrifice must be such as to call attention to the sacrifice itself. After such a demonstration as that attending His entry into Jerusalem, all eyes would follow His rapid progress to the final scene.
“The events connected with this triumphal ride would be the talk of every tongue, and would bring Jesus before every mind. After His crucifixion, many would recall these events in their connection with His trial and death. They would be led to search the prophecies, and would be convinced that Jesus was the Messiah; and in all lands converts to the faith would be multiplied.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 571.
b. Surprisingly, what did Jesus do when He came into full view of the city—and why? Luke 19:41–44.
“In the midst of a scene of rejoicing, where all were paying Him homage, Israel’s King was in tears; not silent tears of gladness, but tears and groans of insuppressible agony. The multitude were struck with a sudden gloom. Their acclamations were silenced. Many wept in sympathy with a grief they could not comprehend.
“The tears of Jesus were not in anticipation of His own suffering. . . . It was the sight of Jerusalem that pierced the heart of Jesus—Jerusalem that had rejected the Son of God and scorned His love, that refused to be convinced by His mighty miracles, and was about to take His life. He saw what she was in her guilt of rejecting her Redeemer.”—Ibid., p. 576.
Thu,
Jul 10
5. ARRIVING IN JERUSALEM
a. As Jesus entered Jerusalem, what question did the rulers ask and what answer did they get amid the uproar? Matthew 21:10, 11.
“As the procession is about to descend the Mount of Olives, it is intercepted by the rulers. They inquire the cause of the tumultuous rejoicing. As they question, ‘Who is this?’ the disciples, filled with the spirit of inspiration, answer this question. In eloquent strains they repeat the prophecies concerning Christ.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 578.
b. As soon as Jesus had arrived in the city, what did He do in the temple? Matthew 21:12–16; Psalm 8:2.
“Three years before, the rulers of the temple had been ashamed of their flight before the command of Jesus. They had since wondered at their own fears, and their unquestioning obedience to a single humble Man. They had felt that it was impossible for their undignified surrender to be repeated. Yet they were now more terrified than before, and in greater haste to obey His command. There were none who dared question His authority. Priests and traders fled from His presence, driving their cattle before them. . . .
“When the multitude fled from the temple, many had remained behind. These were now joined by the newcomers. Again the temple court was filled by the sick and the dying, and once more Jesus ministered to them.”—Ibid., pp. 591, 592.
Fri,
Jul 11
PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. How is the attitude of the Pharisees often repeated today?
2. What characterized those who honored Christ as the promised King?
3. What might be causing Jesus to weep for me as He did for Jerusalem?
4. How was the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9 fulfilled on this occasion?
5. Why did Christ permit so much public acclaim at this time?