Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/168

 accustomed to  walk  to  the  places  in  which  He  intended to preach;  but  on  this,  He  enter*  Jerusalem  in  this  unusual manner,  to  teach  mankind  that  poverty,  humility, and meekness  are  the  proper  badges  of  His  divine  royalty. In this  action  Christ  literally  fulfilled  the  prophecy of Zacharias:  "Rejoice  greatly,  O  daughter  of  Zion; shout  for  joy,  O  daughter  of  Jerusalem:  behold,  the  King will  come  to  thee,  the  Just  and  Saviour.  He  is  poor,  and riding  upon  an  ass.    (Zach.  ix.  9.)

II. Christ adopted  this  manner  of  entering  the  city  to show  us  with  what  alacrity  He  went  to  suffer,  as  if  He had  been  going  to  take  possession  of  a  kingdom:  as  indeed He  was,  according  to  the  expression  of  the  hymn, " He  reigns  on  the  tree." He wished,  also,  to  give  us  an example  of  triumphing  in  the  midst  of  reproaches  and contempt. His love  for  us  prompted  Him  to  render  His passion as  severe  as  possible,  by  increasing  the  glory which preceded  it. " Being  exalted,"  as  the  prophet  said, " I  am  humbled." (Ps. lxxxvii.  16.)

III. " Hosanna  to  the  son  of  David." (Matt. xxi.  15.) This expression  of  joy  and  respect  proceeded  from  the  • poor and  lower  order  of  society  and  not  from  the  rich, from whom  the  mysteries  of  poverty  and  humility  are often concealed. But mark  the  fickleness  of  the  human heart: in  a  few  days  their  cry  was  changed  into  "Crucify Him,  crucify  Him!" (Luke xxiii.  21.)  The  favor and applause  of  the  world  are  ever  of  this  nature. How foolish, then,  is  it  to  pursue  this  inconstant  shadow  as the  end  of  our  existence! livery Christian  should  be able  to  say  with  St.  Paul,  "  God  forbid  that  I  should glory,  but  in  the  cross  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ." (Gal. vi. 14.)