Jesus Praised and Condemned

GOLDEN TEXT: “Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.” —Matthew 27:22

MATTHEW 21:1-11; 27:20-26

WHAT is known as Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus’ riding into Jerusalem on an ass, presenting himself to the people of his nation as their King. This was but a few days before his crucifixion, and while a considerable number of his followers and friends—a “great multitude,” the record states—“cried, saying, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord,” the religious rulers of the people rejected him. This meant that the enthusiasm of this acceptance of Jesus as their king was short-lived.

However, it was essential that Jesus present himself in this way because it had been foretold by the Prophet Zechariah, and therefore a part of the divine will for him. (Zech. 9:9) In John 1:11 and 12 we read that Jesus “came unto his own and his own received him not; but as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God.” Jesus presented himself to his own people throughout the entire course of his ministry. But despite both his teachings and his miracles the nation as a whole rejected him. His presentation was climaxed by his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, and in this also the nation failed to actually accept him as their King and Messiah.

But some did receive Jesus. To these he gave “power,” or authority, to become “sons of God.” The Gospel-age “sons” of God are those who compose the divine ruling house, the messianic kingdom class. Symbolically they are shown together with the “Lamb”—Jesus—on Mount Sion, having “his Father’s name written in their foreheads. (Rev. 14:1) So far as Israel as a whole was concerned, the exclusive right to this rulership was taken from them, as Jesus explained and given to a “nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.” (Matt. 21:43) This new “nation” is the one referred to by the Apostle Peter as a “holy nation, a royal priesthood.”—I Pet. 2:9

Jesus labored zealously in his effort to help the people of Israel. “How often,” he said, “would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.” (Matt. 23:37,38) “Jerusalem,” as a “house,” which was to be left “desolate,” refers to Israel as God’s chosen ruling “house,” or “nation.” It was left “desolate” when the kingdom was taken from the people of Israel and given to the new “nation,” the Gospel-age house of sons.

But the people of Israel will have an opportunity to receive the blessings of life through Christ. Even those immediately concerned with the rejection and crucifixion of Jesus, raised from the dead, will yet say, “Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.”—Matt. 23:39; Rom. 11:15

Much was crowded into those last few days of Jesus’ earthly life. He drove the money-changers out of the temple, and in the temple taught, and healed the sick. The scribes and Pharisees questioned his authority to teach; and the Sadducees endeavored to refute his teachings concerning the resurrection of the dead. Still later his disciples went to him on the Mount of Olives and asked him concerning the signs of his second presence and the end of the age.—Matt. 24:3 Chapter 24 and 25 of Matthew contain Jesus’ answer to the questions of the disciples. After this we find him with his disciples in the “upper room” partaking of the passover, where also he instituted the memorial of his death. Then came Gethsemane, his arrest and appearance before Pilate, the account of which constitutes the latter part of our lesson.

In bringing Jesus to Pilate, his enemies accused him of claiming to be a king. If this were true it would be treason against the Roman Empire. Pilate asked Jesus if this charge was true, and the answer was “Thou sayest,” meaning that he did consider himself to be a king.—Matt. 27:11; John 18:37

Pilate recognized that Jesus, despite his claim to kingship, was no threat to the Roman Empire, but in the light of his confession, there was nothing he could do about it except to offer to release Jesus should the Jews be willing at Passover time to have one convicted of crime released, as was the custom. (John 18:39) But they were in no mood for any such arrangement. They were determined that Jesus should be put to death, so they cried, “Crucify him.”

By an act of symbolic hand washing, common to that day, Pilate indicated that he was not willingly complying with their wishes, and did not want the blood of this innocent man on his hands. The people replied, “His blood be on us, and on our children.” (Matt.27:25) How little did they realize what this would cost them and their posterity throughout the period of their national disfavor, which even then was chronologically due to begin. They have suffered much because of their sin, but now, thank God, favor is returning to them.

QUESTIONS

What is the meaning of Palm Sunday?

What great blessing came to the individual Israelites who accepted Jesus?

Relate some of Jesus’ experiences between his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, and his trial before Pilate?

Why did Pilate desire to release Jesus?

When will the Israelites again say, “Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord?”

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