The stones will cry out

Hosanna ,blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!”Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!”  “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” Luke 19: 38-40

As we begin our countdown to Easter, I have been reading ahead looking at Jesus’ last week on earth which began on Palm Sunday.  As Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a humble donkey he must have found immense delight in the praises and hosannas that he received along his route. Surely there was faith to be found in Israel!

Some wouldn’t give it, though. “Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, ‘Teacher, rebuke your disciples!’ ‘I tell you,’ he replied, ‘if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out’” (Luke 19:39,40). The Pharisees thought the crowd's words were sacrilegious and blasphemous. They didn't want someone challenging their power and authority, and they didn't want a revolt that would bring the Roman army down on them. So they asked Jesus to keep his people quiet. But Jesus said that if the people were quiet, the stones would burst into cheers. Why? Not because Jesus was setting up a powerful political kingdom but because he was establishing God's eternal Kingdom, a reason for the greatest celebration of all.
God will be worshiped one way or another. He can make stones sing out if the people are silent.

We don’t have to wait to wave palm branches or shout out in praise, “ Hosanna in the highest”. Like palm branches we can lay down our wills and  surrender our hearts giving to Christ the obedience, adoration, and service he deserves.

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle