Loud Voices

 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

Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King,

It's Palm Sunday, the day you entered Jerusalem riding upon a donkey amid shouts of "Hosanna!". Palm branches waving, coats laid on the ground before you. The whole crowd of disciples with you and waiting for you began joyfully praising God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen. For three years, they had witnessed signs and wonders, miracles and healings. The Kingdom of God was breaking through and their long-awaited Messiah had come. They had waited a lifetime to see this moment. Prophets of long ago ached to see this moment. Their joyful praise could not be contained!

When the Pharisees rebuked them and told you to quiet them down, your response was clear and unflinching: "I tell you, if they keep quiet, these very rocks scattered on this hillside will cry out in worship!" I think of Romans 8:19-22 that says, "For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed," and, "...the whole of creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time." All of creation, in that moment, was leaning in, groaning with anticipation. If the disciples had not broken out in joyful praise, the rocks, the trees, and the hills would have gladly done so in their place!

Gracious Lord, today I choose to give You the praise that is due Your name for all the miracles I have seen. The greatest of them is that You saved me! You took me out of my sin and brought me into Your life. You rescued me from the darkness where I couldn't even see my own hand, into the light of Your grace where now I only need to trust Your hand. Lord, I praise You! I joyfully sing and shout praises to my God. No rock will out-praise me because You are worthy of all praise!

—In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen!

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