The Stones will Cry Out
"I tell you, if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out."
(Luke 19:40)
Passage to be read: Luke 19: 28-40
Jesus enters into the City of Jerusalem triumphantly. What an entry it was!
There is a huge crowd to welcome Him. Palm leaves around. Shouts of "Hosanna" everywhere. People crying out in joy to see this famous man who has been making headlines throughout Galilee.
The memories of the miracles He had performed are present here. The remembrance of the unbelievable number of people healed by Jesus is in the air. Philosophies of love and a lifestyle that people have learned from Him is just in front of their eyes. It is a VIP movement, indeed, in Jerusalem this day.
How blessed are those hands that waved the palm leaves that day and the lips that shouted "Hosanna". They were witnessing 'The Lord' entering into Jerusalem. They were observing 'God' dwelling among them. They were welcoming the 'Savior'. They became part of History!
But there is one of the important episodes to be considered. A point where this joyous and glorious procession meets with an opinion; an opinion that that tried to bring down the whole celebration.
Today's the passage says that some of the Pharisees who were in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples!'(Luke 19:39). Did they try to bring down the praises? Were they jealous about the revolution Jesus was bringing in? Were they against deliverance? Did they reject Christ or never wanted to see a Messiah?
We have our clues to decide on the reasons. But we are sure that they did not want the praises to come out of these people's lips. They couldn't afford to accept a leader from a carpenter's house. They never expected that a Messiah would come from Bethlehem. What an attempt that was to repress the celebration; the joy of receiving the Savior.
But surprisingly, Jesus answered their question. It would have been easy for Him to ignore what they said, but He was Jesus, the Lord! He wanted to remind them of what they've just asked.
Jesus replied, "I tell you, if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out."
We find the need to celebrate the coming of the Messiah, in this passage. It is quite clear through Jesus's reply that it was not right for the crowd to keep silent. No one receives a blessing with sadness. It is not something to be kept inside yourself. And 'the Lord' coming amongst us is a blessing, and this blessing should be received with much shouts and adoration with songs of praise.
My dear loving sisters and brothers in Christ, hope you are preparing yourself to celebrate this wonderful day when Jesus entered into Jerusalem triumphantly. But, let me encourage you by asking whether you are ready to welcome this Savior in your life with shouts of adoration and praise in your heart. How are you going to celebrate it.
Just like how Jesus entered into Jerusalem that day, today He would love to enter into the closed cities inside your nation called heart. Are you ready to welcome Him? Or you are going to be silent?
Let me remind you, if you keep quiet, the stones will cry out!
You have to put up yourself and welcome this wonderful Savior of your Soul with joyous celebrations.
