1.   And when they draw nigh unto Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth two of his disciples,
      2   and saith unto them, Go your way into the village that is over against you: and straightway as ye enter into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon no man ever yet sat; loose him, and bring him.
      3   And if any one say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye, The Lord hath need of him; and straightway he will send him back hither.
      4   And they went away, and found a colt tied at the door without in the open street; and they loose him.
      5   And certain of them that stood there said unto them, What do ye, loosing the colt?
      6   And they said unto them even as Jesus had said: and they let them go.
      7   And they bring the colt unto Jesus, and cast on him their garments; and he sat upon him.
      8   And many spread their garments upon the way; and others branches, which they had cut from the fields.
      9   And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord:
      10   Blessed is the kingdom that cometh, the kingdom of our father David: Hosanna in the highest.
      15   And they come to Jerusalem: and he entered into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and them that bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the money-changers, and the seats of them that sold the doves;
      16   And he would not suffer that any man should carry a vessel through the temple.
      17   And he taught, and said unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called a

Questions and Brief Comments.

Verse 1. Where was the Mount of Olives? (East of Jerusalem, less than a mile.)

Verses 2, 3. What was the errand of the two? How did the Lord know there would be a colt? that no one had ever sat on it? that it would be tied? that its owner would be willing to send it? (Comp. John 16:30).

Verses 4-6. Did it all turn out exactly as the Lord had said? [154]

Verses 7, 8. What did the spreading of the garments mean? (It was an act of homage to a king. See 2 Kings 9:13).

Verses 9, 10. What did those who went before and followed after, cry? ("Hosanna" is Hebrew for "Save now!") What kingdom did they say was coming? Were they correct in that? (See Luke 19:11, which was spoken immediately before this "triumphal entry;" also Matt. 23:38, 39 spoken soon after). From what prophetic psalm were these expressions taken? (Ps, 118:25, 26).

Verses 15, 16. What did the Lord Jesus do in Jerusalem? Had He done this same thing once before? (John 2:13-17).

Verse 17. What was God's intention regarding the Temple? How had they degraded it? What is God's house today? (1 Tim. 3:15). Can it be similarly degraded?

Verse 18. Who resented this especially? What did they seek to do? Why did they have to plan and scheme in order to carry that out?

house of prayer for all the nations? but ye have made it a den of robbers.
      18   And the chief priests and the scribes heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, for all the multitude was astonished at his teaching.

NOTES AND TEACHING-POINTS.

THE "TRIUMPHAL ENTRY."

      This episode in the life of Jesus is frequently called His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. But it was not "triumphal." We note that the lesson-title says simply, "Jesus enters Jerusalem." His frame of mind, as he set out of Jerusalem was far from that of the triumphant conqueror. He had been rejected and disowned by his own nation, and already in purpose sentenced to death by its rulers. He was in anguish over the blindness and dullness of Jerusalem, and with great sorrow of heart, he "set His face stedfastly" to go to that city to die. Nevertheless he made his entry, was formally announced to them as the rightful King of David's line, who should rule over the house of Jacob forever. (Luke 1:32).

HE ACCEPTS THE ROYAL HONOR.

      For once He must be presented to "the daughter of Zion" as her king, meek and lowly, riding upon an ass, as foretold long before by the prophet Zechariah. The putting of garments upon the beast for Him to sit on; the spreading of their garments and of the branches in the way; the acclamations. "Hosanna to the Son of David," and "Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord"--these were indeed royal honors bestowed upon Him by the populace; for which demonstration He had himself made the opportunity, and which He calmly accepted as His right. He was the long-looked-for King of the house of David, the great Messiah promised in the Scriptures. The shout of welcome, "Blessed is he that cometh," Jesus knew meant very little on this occasion, but He also knew that the day would come, when [155] penitent Israel, in her final distress would again see Him and cry, far more sincerely and unanimously, "Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord." The Lord had taken special precaution to prevent his disciples' mistaking the meaning of this remarkable demonstration. (Luke 19:11-27).

THE HOUSE OF PRAYER.

      The Lord Jesus entered the temple and for a second time showed his indignation against those who were degraded the temple to commercial purposes. His displeasures hangs today over those who are permitting similar evils in the church, "which is the house of God" today. The church must look well to it and see that it is really a house of prayer. It could be very sound in doctrine and yet fall far short in its ministry of prayer.

      The professed church in many a place needs just such a thorough cleansing as that which the Lord gave the temple, before prayer can be effectively made to the throne of grace.

THE HOLY AND THE COMMON.

      The selling of animals and exchanging of money is legitimate business, and honorable if honorably conducted. But the temple-precinct was no place for it. Thus there are many works and practices, perfectly proper in themselves, which are not suitable in the assembly or in close connection with it, and which have no place or right in the worship. We hear much in these days of the sanctity of common things; and in a sense it is true that a man can serve and worship God at his daily task, and that the home is as much a Divine institution as the church. So it is and ought to be in its place; and a Christian's whole life belongs to God. Nevertheless the church as such stands distinct from all human and earthly institutions, being God's own new creation, His living Temple in which He dwells, bought and sanctified by the Blood. A special sanctity attaches to it, and to its worship, which must be conducted by faith and in accordance with God's will, not by man's ideas. (Matt. 15:9). Recall the story of Nadab and Abihu in Levit. 10, and note especially Lev. 10:10. Also Heb. 12:28, 29. This needs to be solemnly impressed in our days.

      Take the Questions on Lesson Text for Class Use.

Source: Second Lord's Day Lesson of May. Lesson 7. May 13, 1928. Jesus Enters Jerusalem (Mark 11:1-10,