f the Jews not only,
but of all men. As such He would make a triumphal entry into the "City
of the Great King." This would not be in the pride and pomp of an
earthly conqueror, but in the "lowly" manner which Zechariah had
foretold.

All the accounts of Jesus' journeyings leave the impression that He went
a-foot. Only once do we know that He rode; that was in fulfilment of
prophecy. That prophecy He purposed to fulfil the day after the feast of
Bethany. This was intended by Christ to be His royal and Messianic entry
into Jerusalem. The hour had come. A colt unused, and so fitted by
custom for sacred purposes, was ready for His use. Having left the
village "He sent two of His disciples to bring it to Him." These two are
understood to be Peter and John, for whose united service He would soon
call again. We may think of the owner of the colt as friendly toward
their Master. When told by the disciples, "The Lord hath need of him,"
he was ready to serve Him by the loan of his beast. That
"need"--whatever the owner or the disciples thought--was not so much to
aid in Christ's journey as to make true the prophetic words concerning
Him, "Thy King cometh ... riding upon ... a colt."

The two disciples "brought him to Jesus, and they threw their garments
upon the colt, and set Jesus thereon."

We may think of Peter and John, having arranged for the royal ride, as
heralds of their Lord, leading the procession from Bethany, and the
first to greet with signal and shout the other coming from Jerusalem.

Beside their King, perhaps leading the colt on which they had placed
Him, they would be the first to tread where "a very great multitude
spread their garments in the way," and others "branches from the trees,"
and yet others "layers of leaves which they had cut from the
fields"--thus carpeting the road winding around the slope of Olivet.

Were not Peter and John leaders in song when "at the descent at the
Mount of Olives the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice
and praise God," and especially when "the City of David" came into view?
The joyful strains were from the Psalms of David--"Hosanna to the Son of
David, Hosanna in the Highest Blessed is the kingdom that cometh, the
kingdom of our Father David. Blessed is the King that cometh in the
name of the Lord; peace in heaven, and glory in the highest."

[Illustration: CHRIST AND ST. JOHN _Ary Scheffer_ Page 155]

In that last strain it would almost seem as if the ange