The Bible Class

LESSON XXXV. Christ’s Entrance into Jerusalem

Questions to Lesson 35^*

From the written testimony of the first disciples concerning Jesus, it is easily seen that they had the greatest confidence in the fulfillment of the Scriptures. In their plain and faithful records of facts, how often do we hear them testify that the Scripture was fulfilled, and that “thus it is written by the prophet.” Matthew 2:5; John 19:23-37. Incidents which, by many, would be thought too small to be a fulfillment of the prophecies, were recorded, by them, as such. BIC 80.3

From this we may learn two things. 1st. That the prophecies are to be fulfilled in the most plain and literal manner. 2nd. That when they are so fulfilled, it is the part of the humble children of God to believe it. That to reject it is to reject the counsel of God and distrust his providence; for what he has promised, he has bound himself to fulfill. No other being is able to fulfill his word so as effectually to deceive his trusting children. The false fulfillment would be so awkward and out of order that the intended deception would be easily detected. Therefore, to trust in God is always safe. He makes use of men, both good, and bad, as agents to fulfill his word; the wicked are generally unconscious of the part which they act, and sometimes the righteous do not know that they are fulfilling prophecy till after it is done. An instance of this kind occurred when Jesus rode into Jerusalem. BIC 81.1

It was at the time of the feast of the passover, as Jesus was going to Jerusalem, before entering the city, he sent two of his disciples to bring him an ass colt, and when they had brought him, and Jesus was seated upon him, many spread their garments in the way, and others cut down branches of trees and strewed them in the way. Some went before and some followed crying, Hosannah to the Son of David! There was a great multitude with him, for many people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm-trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosannah! Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord! Matthew 21:8; Mark 11:8; Luke 19:36; John 12:12. BIC 82.1

At the time the disciples did not understand that this was a fulfillment of prophecy, but when Jesus was glorified at the right hand of the Father, and the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, who was to bring all things to their remembrance, had come, they remembered that Zechariah had prophesied, saying, Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee; he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass, Zechariah 9:9; John 12:14-16. BIC 82.2

The prophecies must be fulfilled. God had bidden the daughter of Jerusalem to shout, and she must shout. Therefore, when the Pharisees called upon Jesus to rebuke his noisy disciples, he replied. If these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out. Luke 19:40. BIC 83.1