The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 2 — Section 325

out of the synagogue (John Ix. 22). But they were p>werleRR that day; they felt that they could prevail nothing; the world, they said, had gone after him. The multitude owned him to be the Messiah, the Son of David, the King of Israel. They raised the shout of "Hosanna I "-originally a prayer, "Save ne now I" ( comp. Ps. cxviii. 25) ; but now, it seems, a cry of triumphant welcome; a cry, however, which recognizerl him as the Saviour, and ascribed salvation to him. That prayer, they hoped, would reach the heavens; that cry would be heard there; they prayed for blessings upon him, using again the words of Ps, cxviii. ; they prayed that God's blessing might rest upon him, and bring to pass that salvation which was the real meaning of the hosanna cry. "Hosanna in the highest!" In the highest the hosts of angels need not lift the prayer," Save us now I" for themselves; but they rejoice, we know, over each r11pentant sinner, over each lost sheep brought home to the fold on the shoulders of the good Shepherd; they may well re-echo the suppliant hosannas as: they add the heavenly incenRe to the prayers of the saints which go up before God (Rev. viii 3, 4). We may well believe that, on that great Palm Sunday, the heavenly host bent in reverent adoration from their thrones of light, watched that lowly procession a.a it escorted the King of heaven into the holy city, listened to the earthly hosannas that welcomed his approach, and repeated with more solemn tones, more awful expectations, the high chant of praise which celebrated the Nativity, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." Let us make that welcome our own. He who then came to Jerusalem comes now to us. Each day he cometh to expectant hearts, to souls craving peace and mercy, He cometh in the name of the Lord; him- self the Lord, he cometh from the Lord, to do his Father's will, " to perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant." "Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord I" Let us welcome him into our hearts with the hosanna cry of adoration and earnest supplication, "Save now, I beseech thee, 0 Lord; 0 Lord, I beseech thee, send now prosperity l" 3. The inhabitants. " All the city was moved "-stirred, shaken (so the Greek word means), at the approach of the jubilant procession. It was filled with crowds waiting for the celebration of the Passover- eager, excited crowds, ready to be stirred into commotion by any sudden impulse. "Who is this?" they said. The form of the Lord must have been well known to most of the dwellers in Jerusalem. Perhaps the question was asked by strangers (see Acts ii. 6, 9-11); perhaps it was asked with something of scorn, " Who is this who comes with such a retinue, with all this festal applause? " The multitude, mostly perhaps Galilmans, understood the suppressed contempt of the proud Pharisees, and answered with something of provincial pride, "This is Jesus the Prophet of Nazareth of Galilee." He belonged to them in a sense; the Pharisees had maintained, with ignorant scornfulness, that "out of Galilee ariseth no prophet." Even N atbanael, the Israelite in whom there we.a no guile, had asked, "Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?" The Galiliea.ns had a Prophet now, a Prophet mighty in word and deed; nay, more than a Prophet, the Messiah that was to come. 'l'hey were proud of his eminence, they shouted their hosanaas. Before the week was ended, soLDe of them, it may be, would change that cry to " Crucify him I crucify him I" A.11 would forsake him and leave him to his death. Popular excitemeat is a poor thing; the Christian must trust neither in crowds nor in princes, but only in God. "Who is this 7" the world still asks, some in the spirit of anxioas inquiry, some in scorn and unbelief; and still the Christian answers in faith and adoring love," This is Jesus, the Prophet, the great High Priest, the King of kings and Lord of lords." He cometh to claim his kingdom in each human heart. Receive him; he bringeih peace. LESSONS, 1. The Kmg cometh; he is lowly. Only the lowly heart can receive the lowly King, 2, Greet him with holy joy; pray that that joy may be deep and true, founded on a living faith, 3. Seek to know him, to say," This is Jesus," out of 11 true personal knowledge. Vere. 12-16.-The temple, I. THE LORD'S ACTIONS THERE. 1. His entrance. Jesus went into the temple of God. It was a fulfilment of the great prophecy of :Malachi, "The Lord, whom ye seek, sho.11 suddenly come to his temple." lle came, but, alas I they delighted not in him. He came to "purify the sons of Levi, that they might olfer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness," But, alas I they would not be 330 THE GOSPEL AOCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW. [CH, UL 1-o!i6.