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hile on their errand they 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。
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。 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。
As they proceeded； the multitude was continually increased by those who had heard of the coming of Jesus and hastened to join the procession。 Spectators were constantly mingling with the throng； and asking； Who is this？ What does all this commotion signify？ They had all heard of Jesus； and expected Him to go to Jerusalem； but they knew that He had heretofore discouraged all effort to place Him on the throne； and they were greatly astonished to learn that this was He。 They wondered what could have wrought this change in Him who had declared that His kingdom was not of this world。
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Their questionings are silenced by a shout of triumph。 Again and again it is repeated by the eager throng； it is taken up by the people afar off； and echoed from the surrounding hills and valleys。 And now the procession is joined by crowds from Jerusalem。 From the multitudes gathered to attend the Passover； thousands go forth to welcome Jesus。 They greet Him with the waving of palm branches and a burst of sacred song。 The priests at the temple sound the trumpet for evening service； but there are few to respond； and the rulers say to one another in alarm。 〃The world is gone after Him。〃
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。
In this one triumphant scene of His earthly life； the Saviour might have appeared escorted by heavenly angels； and heralded by the trump of God； but such a demonstration would have been contrary to the purpose of His mission； contrary to the law which had governed His life。 He remained true to the humble lot He had accepted。 The burden of humanity He must bear until His life was given for the life of the world。
This day； which seemed to the disciples the crowning day of their lives； would have been shadowed with gloomy clouds had they known that this scene of rejoicing was but a prelude to the suffering and death of their Master。 Although He had repeatedly told them of His certain
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sacrifice； yet in the glad triumph of the present they forgot His sorrowful words； and looked forward to His prosperous reign on David's throne。
New accessions were made continually to the procession； and； with few exceptions； all who joined it caught the inspiration of the hour； and helped to swell the hosannas that echoed and re…echoed from hill to hill and from valley to valley。 The shouts went up continually； 〃Hosanna to the Son of David： Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord！ Hosanna in the highest。〃
Never before had the world seen such a triumphal procession。 It was not like that of the earth's famous conquerors。 No train of mourning captives； as trophies of kingly valor； made a feature of that scene。 But about the Saviour were the glorious trophies of His labors of love for sinful man。 There were the captives whom He had rescued from Satan's power； praising God for their deliverance。 The blind whom He had restored to sight were leading the way。 The dumb whose tongues He had loosed shouted the loudest hosannas。 The cripples whom He had healed bounded with joy； and were the most active in breaking the palm branches and waving them before the Saviour。 Widows and orphans were exalting the name of Jesus for His works of mercy to them。 The lepers whom He had cleansed spread their untainted garments in His path； and hailed Him as the King of glory。 Those whom His voice had awakened from the sleep of death were in that throng。 Lazarus； whose body had seen corruption in the grave； but who now rejoiced in the strength of glorious manhood； led the beast on which the Saviour rode。
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。 But they were silenced by the reply of Jesus； 〃I tell you that； if these should hold their peace； the stones would immediately cry out。〃 That scene of triumph was of God's own appointing。 It had been foretold by the prophet； and man was powe