“Jesus answered, ‘I tell you that if they keep quiet, the stones themselves will start shouting’” Luke 19:40
As Jesus was entering Jerusalem people spread their clothes on the road so that the King of Glory could pass. It was a moment of great joy. Everyone was shouting and singing, “God bless the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory to God!” (Luke 19:38).
The Pharisees, though, were disturbed by this. But why?
One could say maybe because they were jealous. People were turning to Christ because of the miracles and healings he was performing. Jesus despised praise from the proud. He accepted praise from the humble. Also, the Pharisees were angry at him because they could see how He had attracted the people to him and they couldn’t silence Him, for it is written, “If they keep quiet, the stones themselves will start shouting” Luke 19:40.
This verse unleashes extreme power!
Vahé Jébéjian
As Jesus was entering Jerusalem people spread their clothes on the road so that the King of Glory could pass. It was a moment of great joy. Everyone was shouting and singing, “God bless the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory to God!” (Luke 19:38).
The Pharisees, though, were disturbed by this. But why?
One could say maybe because they were jealous. People were turning to Christ because of the miracles and healings he was performing. Jesus despised praise from the proud. He accepted praise from the humble. Also, the Pharisees were angry at him because they could see how He had attracted the people to him and they couldn’t silence Him, for it is written, “If they keep quiet, the stones themselves will start shouting” Luke 19:40.
This verse unleashes extreme power!
- It states that the world and all its components, even non-living things like stones which don’t have a soul, are amazed and overwhelmed by God’s glory! God’s glory doesn’t just affect humankind. It has cosmic radiance, a universal impact. His glory is felt by the entire world and all its beings. It’s a message that even rocks cannot hide it anymore. It needs to be proclaimed from mountain tops to the ends of the seas. In this verse we see a deep and profound correlation between Christ’s message, the Word and the Universe.
- There is no way to keep quiet. The word “quiet” is very quickly replaced by the word “shouting”. God’s message provides so much joy and happiness that keeping quiet is not an option. Even more than that, it is impossible! The Word can’t have boundaries. It doesn’t have any limits. It isn’t confined in a cage! It’s a free Word, free from chains humanity has set and free from social and cultural chains. God’s message of love, hope and salvation is a message that surpasses all human understanding and that cannot be drowned by any power in the Universe.
- Even stones can’t keep the Word from being proclaimed! How about us, living creatures? In this 21st century, it so happens that the responsibility of spreading the Word has been entrusted to us. It is our duty, with Christ’s help, to spread the Word as far and as wide as possible. Don’t keep quiet. Shout the name of the Lord! Remember, if Christ can raise up children of Abraham out of rocks just imagine what He can do for you and for others.
Vahé Jébéjian