If These Were Silent – Luke 19:28-40

The world wants and needs a Savior.  Just look for evidence of that in the politicians and religious leaders we have anointed as such in recent days.  But there is only one Savior, only one man to whom such acclaim is merited.  And we should properly give him that acclaim and not share it with any other.  The truth of who he is demands it.

And when he had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples, saying, “Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ you shall say this: ‘The Lord has need of it.’” So those who were sent went away and found it just as he had told them. And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?” And they said, “The Lord has need of it.” And they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road. As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”  (Luke 19:28-40 ESV)

Zechariah 9:9 says, Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!  Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem!  Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Jesus knows this passage, of course, and is purposely announcing himself as Messiah coming into his city, Jerusalem, as king.  His disciples spread their cloaks on the road as a gesture of honor and acknowledgement of his greatness.  They utter the words of Psalm 118:26 and 148:1, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD!” and “Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise him in the heights!”

This is how the King should be received by his own people.  But the response of some of the Pharisees in the crowd shows the condition of their hearts is quite at odds with the people of Jerusalem.  Acknowledging Jesus as Messiah seems like overdoing it to them, even though he has shown all the evidence needed to prove that is who he is. 

What does your heart show?  Jesus will receive his praise, but will our voice be added to it?