“Who is this?”

Matthew 21:1-16

Matthew 21:1-3

He had the hearts of all men under his control, and at once moved the owner to lend his ass. The colt came and its mother at its side, for Jesus would not cause even the meanest creature a needless pain by separating it from its young.

Matthew 21:4, 5

He came in state as a judge, but it was in fitting state, and such as was becoming in a true ruler in Israel; for he did not ride upon the horse which was the boast of Egypt, but on the humbler ass, which ancient lawgivers had been content with.

Matthew 21:9

And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David or, “Save now, we beseech thee”

Matthew 21:10

Bishop Hall has well said: “The attending disciples need be at no loss for an answer. Which of the prophets has not put it into their mouths? Who is this? Ask Moses, and he shall tell you, the seed of the woman who shall bruise the serpent’s head. Ask your father Jacob, and he shall tell you, the Shiloh of the tribe of Judah. Ask David, and he shall tell you, the King of Glory. Ask Isaiah, and he shall tell you, Emmanuel, Wonderful, the mighty God, the Prince of Peace. Ask Jeremiah, and he shall tell you, the righteous Branch. Ask Daniel, and he shall tell you, the Messiah. Ask John the Baptist, he shall tell you, the Lamb of God. The God of the prophets hath told you, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Yea, the very devils themselves have been forced to confess, I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God. On no side hath Christ left himself without a full and plain testimony.”

Matthew 21:11-13

This was his second purgation of the temple. He had cleansed it once before in his earlier ministry. A las! when good things begin to be perverted they need many cleansings before they are set right again.

Matthew 21:14-16

Let children learn from this that Jesus values their praises, and let them give him their hearts while they are yet young.

Ride on, ride on in majesty!

In lowly pomp ride on to die:

O Christ! thy triumphs now begin

O’er captive death and conquered sin.

Ride on, ride on in majesty!

Thy last and fiercest strife is nigh:

The Father, on his sapphire throne,

Expects his own anointed Son.

Ride on, ride on in majesty!

In lowly pomp ride on to die:

Bow thy meek head to mortal pain;

Then, take, O God, thy power, and reign!