What a scene it was with Jesus surrounded by people, all praising God with a loud voice and crying out, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!” What a celebration! Palm branches and cloaks and the sound of rejoicing…with Jesus in the middle of it all.
And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.” Luke 19:40 (ESV)
Most likely the Pharisees’ problem was with the reason for that joy: the crowds were rejoicing because they thought a new king had come to restore their nation to its former glory. Although they were full of excitement and joy, they did not yet realize Jesus was their Messiah. Whatever Jesus’ purpose, however, the Pharisees felt threatened and tried to shut down the celebration.
But Jesus wasn’t having it and said that if all the people were kept silent the stones along the side of the road would burst into cheers! Even though the crowds of the day didn’t recognize Jesus for who he really was, they rejoiced in His presence. It is still natural to rejoice in the Lord and it is right to give Him thanks and praise. As Amos put it, The Sovereign LORD has spoken— so who can refuse to proclaim his message? (Amos 3:8b NLT) Joy, speech, and praise flow naturally when God comes to us. Even the stones would cry out.
The Pharisees had stony hearts and sometimes we do as well. We are sometimes insensitive, without compassion or mercy. Jesus came to take our stony hearts and transform them into living, loving hearts that respond to God with joy. Within the week Jesus would do that very thing, laying down His life for our sake and then rising again to live forever. For His sacrifice, the stones themselves, and even us, cry out with joy.
Dear Lord, transform our hearts into loving hearts so we can do your will in our lives. We celebrate Jesus coming to save us and giving us eternal life. We can’t thank you enough for this gift! Amen.
