IDill 8cattor him as chaff). The persons here made them feel that they tliemeelvee were spoken of are not those who are offended at herein signified, their motives and conduct Ohriat's low estate ; they are such as put fully discovered. But, as bad men always themselves in active opposition to him and act, instead of repenting uf tLe evil, they hie kingdom ; on them he will fall in terrible are only exasperated against him who de- vengeance, and will utterly deetroy them tected them, and only desire the more to without hope of reoovery. The idea is re- wreak their vengeance upon him. peated from Dan. ii. 34, 35, and 44, 45. Ver. 46.-Theyfeared the multitude. They Chliet in his humiliation is the Stone did not dare to lay violent hands on Jeeug against w,hich men fe.11; Ohriet in his glory in the presence of the excited crowd, which and. exaltation is the Stone which fe.lls on would have withstood any such attack at them. • this moment. A Prophet (see ver. 11). If Ver. 45.-Pharisees. They have not been they did not recognize him as Messiah, they specially mentioned hitherto, but they formed regarded him as one inspired by God, and the majority m· th"13 Sanhedrin, and are pro- having a Divine mission. This accounts for perly here named by the evangelist. He the joyful acquiescence of the Pharisaical spake of them. They could not fail, especi- party in the offer of J ndas, when he proposed ally after ver. 43, to see the drift of the to betray his Master in the absence of the parables; their own consciences must have multitude
HOMILETICS. Vers. 1-11.-The entry into Jerusalem. I. THE FULFILMENT OF PI:OPHECY. 1. Bethphage. The Lord had spent the sabbath in that holy home at Bethany, where he was always a. welcome Guest, with that family which was now more than ever devoted to his service, and bound to him by the ties of the very deepest gratitude. On the Sunday morning (Palm Sunday) he made his solemn entry into the holy city. H~ set out from Bethany on foot; but he intended to enter Jerusalem as the King Messiah. Ile had hitherto avoided anything like a public announcement of his office and his claims. When the multitude wished to "take him by force to make him a King, he departed again into a mountain himself alone." Not long ago he had forbidden his disciples to tell any man that he was the Christ. He had charged them to tell no man of the heavenly glory of the Transfiguration. The earthly view of the Messiah's kingdom was universal. The apostles themselves, warned as they had been again and again of its untruth, again and again reverted to it. So strong was the hold which it had upon their minds, that even after the awful scenes oft.he Passion," they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel ? " The Lord would do nothitig to. sanction this vain P,Xpectation. His kingdom was not of this worlt.l. But now his hour was come'--the hour that he should depart out of this world. It was time 'for him now to make a public assertion of his claims. That assertion, he knew, would lead to his death, and, through his death, resurrection, and ascension, to the establish- ment of his spiritual kingdom over the hearts of men. He was drawing near to J eru- salem; He was come to Bethphage, on the Mount of Olives. He sent two disciples, bidding them fetch an ass and a colt whereon yet nover man sat. He described the place minutely. If any man interfered, they were to say," The Lord bath need of them." The Lord, the Lord df all; all things are his; he claims them when they are needed for his service. 'l'he words were simple, but they seem to convey a great meaning, to imply far- reaching ·claims. "The Lord bath need of them." The Saviour describes himself simply as the Lord, just as the Septuagint writers express the covenant name of God. The words would be understood as meaning that the ass was wanted in some way for God's service. The owners knew not how; but they saw the solemn procession passing by; they saw the lowly majesty of Christ. 'l'hey must have known him. He had been a frequent visitor at Bethany. Dnt a short time ago he had raised Lazarus from the de:i.d. Possibly they may have been among the number of his disciples. Even if not so, they must have felt something of the enthusiasm and excited expectation which were so widely diffused. They sent the ass. We must give readily and cheerfully when the Lord calls upon us; we must keep nothing back which he requires. "All things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee." 2. The prophecy. (1) It must be ful- filled. ".All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spokeu by the prophet.." 828 THE GOSPEL AOOORDING TO ST. MATTH:mW. tott. :ttr, 1-46.