Rock and Roll

“When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!"  "Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" 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 19:37-40

I am so excited that this is Holy Week. Yesterday, we observed Palm Sunday, the day that our Lord entered the city of Jerusalem on a donkey demonstrating that He was a King coming in peace. I love reading about the enthusiasm with which the crowds praised Him. They sang; they danced; they waved palm branches and spread their cloaks on the road for Him to pass over (their version of a red carpet), and it says they did it joyfully and loudly (Greek word “megas”; hmm, like megaphone). Think March madness crowds only so much better!

 

Then, I am especially amazed by Jesus’ response to the Pharisees when they tried to quiet the crowd. Initially, I picture something like Sesame Street rock puppets swaying back and forth singing along with Elmo (remember I have three little guys). I guess this is because the idea is so difficult for me to wrap my mind around. Rocks crying out? Stones shouting praises to God? What? But, then I am humbled, and I remember Psalm 24:1, “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it.” Wouldn’t it then seem perfectly normal for the creation to praise its Creator? After all, this is Jesus, the Maker of the universe, passing by. This is Jesus, who Revelation 4:11 says ALL of creation exists for His pleasure. He not only made it, He sustains it. He not only fashioned it, He directs it. He not only gave it existence, He is glorified by its very existence.

• Such as the billions of stars that He has called by name and are placed at the very points He determined. 
• Like the sun that He enables to shine and which does His bidding.
• Such as the planets which He taught how and where to orbit, and they follow His command.
• And the mountains that He shows where they are to be lifted up and the valleys where they are to lay low, and they stay put. 
• Then He commands the oceans and seas, “This far you may come and no further,” and they break on the very shores He designated for each of them.

So, when He says to mankind, “Praise the Lord”, and they respond, “No”, even the most simple and miniscule mineral formations could not bear it! They would have to respond.  Paul describes in Romans 8:19-23 the eager expectation and the groaning with which all creation awaits God’s final act of redemption. They are watching, and even now, they are waiting for our response.

Oh, but, the stones did not cry out that day long ago as King Jesus entered the city with His face set like flint determined to go to His cross. And I don't wish for them to do it for us now either; not as long as we have the breath to joyfully and to loudly praise Him. What are we waiting for?

Psalm 148

1 Praise the LORD.  Praise the LORD from the heavens, praise him in the heights above.

2 Praise him, all his angels, praise him, all his heavenly hosts.

3 Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars.

4 Praise him, you highest heavens and you waters above the skies.

5 Let them praise the name of the LORD, for he commanded and they were created.

6 He set them in place for ever and ever; he gave a decree that will never pass away

7 Praise the LORD from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths,

8 lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do his bidding,

9 you mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars,
10 wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds,

11 kings of the earth and all nations, you princes and all rulers on earth, 12 young men and maidens, old men and children.

13 Let them praise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is exalted; his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.

14 He has raised up for his people a horn, the praise of all his saints, of Israel, the people close to his heart. Praise the LORD.