Never before had the world seen such a triumphal procession. It was not like that of the earth's famous conquerors. No train of mourning captives, as trophies of kingly valor, made a feature of that scene. But about the Saviour were the glorious trophies of His labors of love for sinful man. There were the captives whom He had rescued from Satan's power, praising God for their deliverance. The blind whom He had restored to sight were leading the way. The dumb whose tongues He had loosed shouted the loudest hosannas. The cripples whom He had healed bounded with joy, and were the most active in breaking the palm branches and waving them before the Saviour. Widows and orphans were exalting the name of Jesus for His works of mercy to them. The lepers whom He had cleansed spread their untainted garments in His path, and hailed Him as the King of glory. Those whom His voice had awakened from the sleep of death were in that throng. Lazarus, whose body had seen corruption in the grave, but who now rejoiced in the strength of glorious manhood, led the beast on which the Saviour rode.

Aldrig før havde verden været vidne til et sådant triumftog. Det lignede ikke verdens berømte feltherrers. Der var intet følge af sørgende fanger, der som trofæer for kongelig tapperhed udgjorde en del af sejrstoget. Men Frelseren var omgivet af de herlige sejrstrofæer for hans kærlighedsgerninger blandt syndige mennesker. Der var de fanger, han havde udfriet fra Satans magt, og som priste Gud for deres frihed. De blinde, som han havde givet deres syn, gik forrest i toget. De stumme, hvis tungebånd han havde løst, råbte højest hosianna. Krøblingerne, som han havde helbredt, sprang af glæde og havde alder mest travlt med at bryde palmegrene af og svinge dem foran Frelseren. Enker og faderløse priste Jesu navn for hans barmhjertighed imod dem. De spedalske, som han havde renset, bredte deres ubesmittede klæder ud på vejen og hilste ham som ærens konge. De, som hans røst havde vakt af dødens søvn, var også med i skaren. Lazarus, hvis legeme havde set forrådnelse i graven, men som nu frydede sig i sin manddoms fulde kraft, førte dyret, som Frelseren red på.