I Won’t Let Them Cry Out

And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest. (Luke 19:37-38 KJV)

They had seen His works and considered them mighty.  He had been traversing the country for three years, high profile, speaking before crowds open to anyone who would come.  Some scoffed, others came with questions designed to entrap Him, to cause people to doubt Him.  He ignored the scoffers and answered questions with authority.

Those who heeded met Him in Jerusalem, ready to follow Him into an earthly kingdom that would fulfill the remainder of the prophecies regarding the Messiah.  This was the height of His popularity.  Before the week was out, those hopes and dreams died. Pharisees wanted that to happen much earlier:

And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples. (Luke 19:39 KJV)

Jesus knew that would not create the silence the Pharisees sought.  He knew what was to come, too – remember the prayer that the cup would pass, but God’s will be done?

And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.  (Luke 19:40 KJV)

So, to keep from hearing stones cry out, I keep telling people about how Christ changed my life, and the lives of those around me.  Everyone’s life is impacted by His life if only the the dates used in their daily life.  His story can be ignored, it can be denied, it can be refuted but it never has been destroyed.

His teachings have be considered ‘good’ by those who deny His miracles.  Other religions respect the foundation of the beliefs displayed during His life.

The differences come when deciding whether or not Jesus was the messiah promised by prophets long ago.  The Pharisees who requested the disciples be rebuked decided “No,” as have many others.  The stones did not cry out.

And, they won’t, as long as we rejoice and praise God.  We’re following a long line of people who refused to keep silent:

And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. (Acts 4:18-20 KJV)

Please, join me this morning in continuing to rejoice and praise God.