Don’t be outdone by a rock

Riding into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, Jesus was showered with shouts of praise, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Luke 19:38). Enraged, the Pharisees ordered Jesus to rebuke His followers and silence the crowd. Jesus answered, “If these become silent, the very stones will cry out!” (Luke 19:40).  Surely He was exaggerating just to make a point…or was He? God’s Word consistently talks about the seas lifting up their voice (Psalm 93:3), the heavens having a universal voice that goes out to all the earth (Psalm 19:1-3), and mountains singing together for joy (Psalm 98:8). Romans 10:18 even uses the Greek word for “musical sound or note” to describe their “voice.”

Still not convinced?  In a rare glimpse of God’s heavenly throne room, we see a mighty chorus of praise erupt around the throne and ripple outwardly to encompass all of creation:

“Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, ‘Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.’  And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, ‘To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever’” (Revelation 5:11-13).

It may be worth noting that “every created thing” is fairly all-inclusive not to mention the fact that John “heard [them] saying…” God not only created it all, but also gave creation a magnificent voice, a glorious song, a mighty chorus to praise His great Name.

So what about these stones Jesus pointed us to? He could have at least picked doves cooing or lambs bleating, but pebbles? They had to be the least glamorous thing around. But then again, maybe He chose them since they are largely ignored with no apparent voice and yet are foundational to everything!

All things considered, “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so!” (Psalm 107:2). May we live in such a way that we never cease to sing His praises, tell of His greatness, or speak of His amazing love. Praise is foundational to everything. Don’t be outdone by a rock!

© 2012 Tim McKenzie – www.OnEveryWord.com