Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/655

 Resistance  to  grace.  We  see  by  the  case  of  the  unbelieving  city of Jerusalem  how  possible  it  is  to  resist  grace.

Sins against  the  Holy  Ghost.  The  Pharisees  and  those  under  their influence envied  Jesus  on  account  of  the  wonderful  works  which  He did,  and  resisted  the  known  truth  that  Jesus  was  the  Messias;  and  thus deliberately persevered  in  impenitence.

Palm Sunday,  with  the  blessing  of  palms  and  its  solemn  procession, is thus  celebrated  i.  in  memory  of  our  Lord’s  triumphal  entry  into Jerusalem; 2. in thankful  remembrance  of  the  victory  of  faith  over  unbelief; and  3. as a salutary  warning  to  us  that  we  must  overcome  sin if we  desire  to  enter  heaven  triumphantly.

To neglect  the  hour  of  grace,  and  to  resist grace are  the  most  terrible  of  misfortunes. Will you  suffer  such a misfortune to  overtake  you? Will you  be  obstinate,  impenitent, and lose  your  soul? A man’s heart  becomes  bad  little  by  little, not all  at  once;  and  he  who  in  his  youth  refuses  to  listen  to warnings,  and  resists  God  s grace,  is  likely  to  grow  up  leading  an evil  life,  and  is  on  the  high  road  to  obstinacy  in  sin  and  final impenitence. Apply this  to  yourself!

N the  evening  Jesus  returned  from  Jerusalem  to  Bethania. Next morning, however,  He  went  back  to  the  city  and  taught  in  the Temple. What grieved  Him  most  was  the  fickleness  of  the  Jews and their  hardness  of  heart. Wherefore He  spoke  to  them  this parable:

“The kingdom  of  heaven  is  like  to  a king  who  made  a marriage  for  his  son. He sent  his  servants  to  call  them  that were invited  to  the  marriage; and  they  would  not  come. Again he sent  other  servants,  saying:  ‘Tell  them  that  were  invited: