August 23

Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. — Mark 11:9

Jesus was the people’s idol that day.

Did He suppose that now at the last they were going to accept Him as their Messiah? No: He knew it was only the outburst of an hour, and that this triumphal pageant was but the first stage of His last journey to His cross.

As He heard the song, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” there was a deep undertone ringing in His ear:

“Ride on, ride on in majesty,
I lowly pomp ride on to die.”

The triumphal ride was our Lord’s final declaration of His Messiahship. He fulfilled an ancient prophecy, and thus clearly announced that He was the King foretold.

We cannot but think of the fickleness of earthly enthusiasm.

Five days later Jesus was led in another procession to His cross. A picture by Tintoretto gives the scene of the Crucifixion, after all was over. The crosses stand empty, the people are gone. In the background an ass is nibbling some withered palm leaves.