11. As Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey, what adulation did He receive from the crowds, and even the children? Matthew 21:4-16.
NOTE: Now with glad voices the children sounded His praise. They repeated the hosannas of the day before, and waved palm branches triumphantly before the Saviour. The temple echoed and re-echoed with their acclamations, “Blessed be He that cometh in the name of the Lord!” “Behold, thy King cometh unto thee; He is just, and having salvation!” Psalm 118:26; Zechariah 9:9. “Hosanna to the Son of David!” The sound of these happy, unrestrained voices was an offence to the rulers of the temple. They set about putting a stop to such demonstrations. They represented to the people that the house of God was desecrated by the feet of the children and the shouts of rejoicing. Finding that their words made no impression on the people, the rulers appealed to Christ: “Hearest Thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings. Thou hast perfected praise?” Prophecy had foretold that Christ should be proclaimed as king, and that word must be fulfilled. The priests and rulers of Israel refused to herald His glory, and God moved upon the children to be His witnesses. Had the voices of the children been silent, the very pillars of the temple would have sounded the Saviour’s praise.’ Desire of Ages, page 592
12. Only a few days later, what cries do we hear from the same multitude? Mark 15:12-13.
NOTE: ‘Pilate was filled with amazement at the uncomplaining patience of the Saviour. He did not doubt that the sight of this Man, in contrast with Barabbas, would move the Jews to sympathy. But he did not understand the fanatical hatred of the priests for Him, who, as the Light of the world, had made manifest their darkness and error. They had moved the mob to a mad fury, and again priests, rulers, and people raised that awful cry, “Crucify Him, crucify Him.” At last, losing all patience with their unreasoning cruelty, Pilate cried out despairingly, “Take ye Him, and crucify Him: for I find no fault in Him”. The Roman governor, though familiar with cruel scenes, was moved with sympathy for the suffering prisoner, who, condemned and scourged, with bleeding brow and lacerated back, still had the bearing of a king upon his throne.’ Desire of Ages, page 736.
LESSON INSIGHT: Jesus’ life on earth was part of His preparation for becoming our High Priest in heaven today. He understands the cries of the heart of those who are down-trodden, misunderstood, and rejected by society. He can identify with those who have to flee for their lives. He sees and knows where we live, our birth, our circumstances. He knows what it is to be surrounded with infirmity, longing for mercy, lonely and without a friend in the world. These were the experiences of the One who is now our High Priest. All the verses in this week’s lesson show us that He has the credentials to feel for us in all the circumstances of life, and the ability to support us, to show us mercy and give us grace to help in time of need.