‘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 19:39-40)
It’s from a scene often referred to as “The Triumphal Entry”. Jesus is heading for the cross. He enters the city of Jerusalem riding on a colt, and the crowd shouts out their cries of joy! – but the Pharisees tell Jesus it’s time for them to shut up.
‘They’re making too much noise! They’re stealing all the attention! Get them to cut it out! Who do you think you are!?’
“I tell you,” Jesus replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”
Ever pictured stones crying out? Try picturing it now – a choir of stones shouting “Hosanna in the highest!” That’s how glorious Jesus is – even the rocks will shout his praise. He made everything, after all. Us. The rocks. The mountains. All creation. If we don’t praise him, another part of his creation will. He’s the Almighty God. All creation will bow down and praise him eventually.
This high and glorious (not to mention biblical!) picture of Jesus is often missing from Christian songs written in the last few decades. Sad, really. If we lose sight of the great glory of Christ – the Almighty God – the Sovereign Lord of all – high and above all understanding – we’re missing out, and we won’t praise him as he deserves.
That’s why we’ll be singing “Almighty God” (by Tim Hughes, off “Holding Nothing Back”) at church from now on. After all, it’s either us, or the rocks.
Amen