R.A. Torrey explores Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem, emphasizing the obedience of the disciples who followed His instructions to fetch a colt, symbolizing their commitment to Him. The sermon highlights the exultant multitude that praised Jesus, contrasting their fervor with the indignant Pharisees who criticized such enthusiasm. Torrey reflects on Jesus' sorrow for Jerusalem, revealing His compassion and the impending doom for those who reject Him. The message calls for believers to recognize their duty to praise God, obey His commands, and weep for the lost, illustrating the duality of joy and sorrow in the Christian experience.

(Compare Matt. 21:1–11; Mark 11:1–11; John 12:12–19) DISCOVERY OF THE FACTS 1. The Obedient Disciples, vv. 29–35 What city was Jesus approaching? Had Christ entered Jerusalem before? How does this entrance differ from other entrances? Why did Christ on this occasion enter in a way that seemed to court notoriety while on former occasions He did so much to avoid it? Where do we see Jesus in the opening verses of the lesson? What did Jesus do at just this point? How came the colt to be there (v. 31)? If the Lord has need of an ass or colt will it ever be lacking? If He has work for any of us to do, will the means for carrying it out ever be lacking? How did Jesus know the colt was there? Have we other exhibitions of supernatural knowledge in the life of Jesus? (John 1:48; Mark 14:13–16.) Wherein was the peculiar fitness of this colt to bear Jesus? What charge did Jesus give the two disciples in regard to the colt? Were they to ask any one’s permission? What right had they to take some one else’s property without asking leave? (Ps. 24:1; 50:10.) Was this commission to bring a colt, seemingly a very important one? Was it a real test of discipleship? Where can we best show the reality of our discipleship, by going to some foreign land, or doing the little duty right at our doors? Did Jesus anticipate any protest against their taking the colt? What were they to answer? What did this answer imply? Are we likely to meet with questions and opposition if we go in the way the Lord bids? Suppose the Lord has need of anything we consider ours, what should we do? Has the Lord need of anything that is ours? What did Jesus expect would be the result of this answer of His disciples? How did He know? Are men always ready as this to give to the Lord what He has need of? What was the object of getting the colt? (Matt. 21:4, 5.) Where is this prophecy found? (Is. 62:2; Zech. 9:9.) Why did Jesus desire to fulfill this prophecy? Did the disciples fully understand at the time that this was a fulfillment of prophecy? (John 12:14–16.) What was the idea of the coming king presented by this prophecy? Why was He to ride upon an ass rather than upon a horse? Upon what did the earlier rulers of the Jews ride? (Judges 5:10; 12:14; 2 Sam. 16:2; 1 Kings 1:33.) Who brought in the use of horses? (1 Kings 10:26, 28.) Did he do wrong in so doing? (Deut. 17:15, 16.) How did the two disciples show that they were real disciples? How can one show he is a real friend of Jesus? (John 15:14.) If one is not a friend of Jesus, what is he? (Matt. 12:30.) How was the colt saddled? What was the meaning of their putting their garments under Him? (2 Kings 9:13.) 2. The Exultant Multitude, vv. 36–38 How was His way prepared before Him? What was the object of that? If you had been there would you have thrown your clothes in the way? Is there any way in which nowadays we can throw our coats and shawls in the path of Jesus? What kind of branches did they strew in the way? (John 12:13.) Is there any way in which we can strew flowers in Jesus’ path? (Matt. 25:45.) To what point does Luke next take us in his story? At just this point what burst upon the view of the multitude that thronged about Jesus? What was the effect upon the multitude of that sight? Was it not very much out of place for them to so forget their dignity and get so excited in Christ’s service (vv. 39, 40)? Why is it we so seldom burst forth into shouts of praise and exultation? Was the enthusiasm of these people backed up by a very profound appreciation of who He was and sturdy devotion to Him? Is noisy and transient enthusiasm a sufficient substitute for intelligent appreciation of Him and whole hearted devotion to Him? For what was it especially that the people rejoiced and praised God? What mighty work was uppermost in their minds at the time? (John 12:17, 18.) Was there anything better for them to praise God for than the mighty works they had seen? When are we most likely and most ready to praise God? When ought we to praise Him? (Eph. 5:20.) If we only have that kind of praise in our hearts that praises God when we see some mighty work, what are we likely to do when we do not see these mighty works? (Compare Ex. 15:1–21 and 15:23, 24; also Luke 19:37 and Mark 15:8–14.) What was it the people cried? How do Matthew and Mark report the cry? (Matt. 21:9; Mark 11:9, 10.) How do you account for this difference? Where had they learned this cry? (Ps. 118:26.) What was the meaning of all this outcry? (John 12:13.) Was not this a strange procession for a king? What sort of a procession might He have had? (Rev. 19:14.) What was the meaning of the last part of their cry? (Col. 1:20; Eph. 3:10, R. V.) 3. The Indignant Pharisees, vv. 39, 40 Was the exultation very widespread? (v. 37, “whole multitude”.) Were there any who did not share in it? Why not? How did their hatred toward Jesus show itself? Why is it then many people nowadays criticize the fervid demonstrations of some in their religious enthusiasm? In whose footsteps are those following who seek to repress fervor in devotion to Christ? Was Jesus displeased with these demonstrations of gladness? 4. The Weeping Saviour, vv. 41–44 Amidst this universal joy who was sad? Was this grief silent? Is not crying a sign of weakness? What made Him weep? Who was responsible for the awful doom that awaited the city? From whom was that doom to come? (Matt. 22:7.) What two attributes of God are illustrated in this weeping of Jesus over judgments He Himself was to send? (Compare Is. 63:9.) Can Jesus save men if they will not be saved? (Matt. 23:37, 38; John 5:40.) If He could not save them, what could He and did He do? When Christ’s efforts fail today and the sinner goes madly on to eternal self-ruin, what does He do? (Heb. 13:8.) Who else wept over the determined sinfulness and consequent ruin of His people? (Jer. 9:1; 13:27; Ro. 9:2, 3.) If we were more like Jesus what would we do as we see people around us going on madly in sin to eternal ruin? Why do we not weep over them? Does this weeping of Jesus reveal His divinity, or His humanity? What wish did He express for the people? What is meant by “things which belong unto peace”? What were “the things which belong unto peace”? (Luke 1:78, 79; Acts 10:36; Ro. 5:1.) Why had they not known them? (Matt: 13:14, 15; Acts 28:25–27; 2 Cor. 4:3, 4; 2 Thess. 2:9–12; Ro. 11:7–11.) When was it they should have known the things that belonged unto their peace? What is taught by the insertion of this clause “In this thy day” in this wish expressed by Christ? When must God be sought? (Is. 55:6.) What would be the result of Jerusalem’s not knowing the things that belonged unto her peace? Of what, then, was the destruction of Jerusalem the result? What will be the result for us if “in this day” of our opportunity we do not know the things which belong unto our peace? (2 Thess. 1:7–9.) Was this prophecy of Christ fulfilled? How minutely? Of what have we a proof in this? Was this the first prophecy of this destruction? (Deut. 28:49–58; Dan. 9:26; Mic. 3:12.) What was the cause of all this terrific ruin? What does that mean? Why are men lost now? CLASSIFICATION OF TEACHINGS 1. Jesus (1). His person: Divine, 30, 44; human, 31, 41. (2). His offices: Prophet, 40–44; priest, 38, compare Col. 1:20; king, 30–37; Zech. 9:9, 10; character of His reign, peaceful, 30–35; Zech. 9:9, 10; extent of His sway, universal, Zech. 9:9, 10; Saviour—“having salvation”, Zech. 9:9, 10; Lord—owns all things, 30, compare Ps. 26:1; 50:10. (3). His character: Meekness and humility, Zech. 9:9; righteousness, Zech. 9:9; compassion. 41; sternness, 42–44. (4). What to do with Him: To accept Him brings peace, 42; to reject Him brings doom, 43–44. 2. Man Transientness of his religious fervor, 37–38; unreliability of his support, 38, compare Mark 15:11–15; blindness to opportunity, 42, 44; hatred of Jesus, 39; impending doom, 43, 44. 3. The Duty of Disciples of Jesus Christ (1). Toward God: To recognize Him in His works, 37; to praise Him heartily, jubilantly, demonstratively, continuously, 37, 38; to exult in Him, 38. (2). Toward Jesus Christ: To do exactly as He bids, 30–32, 35; perform the seemingly humble and insignificant duties He commands, 30–32; go on His errands, no matter what opposition is likely to be met, 31; yield to His use whatever He asks or needs, 31; use their very garments to glorify Him, 35, 36; ask no questions but believe that everything will turn out just as He says, 30–32. (3). Toward the impenitent: Pity them, 41; weep over them, 41; warn them, 42, 44. 4. Scripture Its certainty, 35, compare Zech. 9:9. 10; exactness, 35, compare Zech. 9 R. V. and v. 32; power to give discernment, 38; power to inspire praise, 38.