If They Keep Silent

As he rode along, the crowds spread out their garments on the road ahead of him. When he reached the place where the road started down the Mount of Olives, all of his followers began to shout and sing as they walked along, praising God for all the wonderful miracles they had seen. “Blessings on the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in highest heaven!” But some of the Pharisees among the crowd said, “Teacher, rebuke your followers for saying things like that!” He replied, “If they kept quiet, the stones along the road would burst into cheers!” Luke 19:36–40 (NLT)

Most of Luke’s Gospel covers the last weeks before Jesus went to the cross. Jesus had purpose. He was on a mission. As the time drew near for him to ascend to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. Luke 9:51 (NLT). There was a lot of activity and ministry in those last days.

Jesus sent out the 70 to go ahead of him into every town and place where he intended to go. Jesus was also preparing his disciples for his death, but it was difficult for them to understand what would happen.

Then comes Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, yet he came humbly and gently. He journeyed through Bethany, home to Lazarus, along with his sisters Mary and Martha. There was certainly something to cheer for when Jesus came to town, but the Pharisees were not happy because the people acclaimed Jesus as King. They wanted Jesus to silence the crowd, but if that happened, “the stones along the road would burst into cheers.”  We must praise our King.

Someone Worth Shouting About

Andy Warhol said, “In the future, everyone will be famous for 15 minutes.” Media overexposure has had detrimental effects on many people. Some famous people are often soon forgotten. Fame is fleeting and forgotten when the spotlight dims, but the man who rode into Jerusalem is someone worth shouting about.

Jesus is someone worth shouting about because of who he is and what he has done for us. The heavens know who to cheer. Worthy, O Master! Yes, our God! Take the glory! the honor! the power!  You created it all; It was created because you wanted it. Revelation 4:11 (The Message)

Our Savior is worthy of all glory, honor, and power. He created everything. Furthermore, he is our Lord and Savior, deliverer, helper, healer, and the beginning and end of our faith. We must not be silent about him.

Sing a new song to the Lord! Let the whole earth sing to the Lord! Sing to the Lord; praise his name. Each day proclaim the good news that he saves. Psalm 96:1–2 (NLT)

There Will Be Praise

One way or another, there will be praise. In many scriptures, we hear the command to shout or praise loudly. God appreciates loud praise and shouts more than some of his people. But the people would not keep quiet on this day because they had seen many miracles.

The Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your followers.” But according to Jesus, one way or another, there will be praise. If they managed to shut up the crowd, the stones along the road would burst into cheers. God enjoys the loud praises from his people, but if his people do not do their job, the rocks themselves will not be able to contain themselves but will rise in a chorus of praise to the Lord.

Continuous and Enthusiastic Praise

Our King desires praise continually and enthusiastically. God longs to receive praise from us daily, not just once a week, on Sunday, but all the time. Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name. Hebrews 13:15 (NLT)

For some, sacrifice has a negative connotation. Sacrifice is associated with the law or giving up something they possess. But for those whose hearts are toward God, a sacrifice is an opportunity to express what is in our hearts. David said, “I will sacrifice a voluntary offering to you; I will praise your name, O Lord, for it is good.” Psalm 54:6 (NLT)

Christ desires that we live for him at all times. He never grows tired of our praise. We may sometimes grow weary, our neighbors may grow weary, but God delights in our praises.

No pagan god is like you, O Lord. None can do what you do!  All the nations you made will come and bow before you, Lord; they will praise your holy name. For you are great and perform wonderful deeds. You alone are God. Psalm 86:8-10 (NLT)

When we give a sacrifice of praise to the one that we love, we don’t do it out of compulsion or guilt, but instead we do it enthusiastically. We shout and sing our praises because we serve a mighty God, unlike any other God.

We Are Stones

Think about what Jesus said, “If they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” Why did Jesus say stones and not trees? Why not something more majestic, such as mountains and hills? Isaiah 55:12 says, “You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.”

Why stones? After all, is there anything more lifeless than a stone or rock? Satan tempted Jesus to turn stones into bread in the wilderness. Jesus told the religious leaders that he could make children of Abraham from the rocks alongside the road. I have come to a humorous conclusion: we are the stones.

Present yourselves as building stones for the construction of a sanctuary vibrant with life, in which you’ll serve as holy priests offering Christ-approved lives up to God. 1 Peter 2:5 (The Message)

The Lord has collected stones from all over the place, and somewhere along the line, those dumb stones have been made alive. Not only have we been made alive, He is putting us together into a building that will bring him praise and honor. And lest anyone become offended at being called a stone, even a living stone, please remember that Christ Jesus is the chief cornerstone.

The Lord is enthroned on our praises. If God’s people do not sing his praises, then nature will do it. I, for one, do not intend to let the rocks shout on my behalf. I will not be silent. How about you?

Steve Ekeroth