Luke 19:36-37 Then the crowds spread out their robes along the road ahead of him, and as they reached the place where the road started down from the Mount of Olives, the whole procession began to shout and sing as they walked along, praising God for all the wonderful miracles Jesus had done.
38 “God has given us a King!” they exulted. “Long live the King! Let all heaven rejoice! Glory to God in the highest heavens!”
39 But some of the Pharisees among the crowd said, “Sir, rebuke your followers for saying things like that!”
40 He replied, “If they keep quiet, the stones along the road will burst into cheers!”
I remember being in the crowd on Centre Court at Wimbledon during the break between games. We were egging on Chris Bailey (a Brit) against Goran Ivanisevic. Someone started a Mexican Wave and we all joined in to show Chris we were on his side. For the uninitiated, this means you stand up and wave your hands in the air, cheering loudly, in turn, then sit down again. It goes all around the arena and evokes a great, joyful atmosphere. It took a while, but even the Royal Box joined in.
Sadly, in this case, it didn't work, in the end Ivanisevic won, his big booming serve was too much for Chris!
As I watch the trees, shrubs and the flowers blowing in the wind, I'm put in mind of a giant Mexican wave of nature to the Lord.
It's so beautiful to see the flowers opening out to the sunshine, each unfolding bud lifting up praise to the Creator.
The other day I was chatting to someone without faith (yet) and that person remarked: "All this praise stuff, I don't believe in or understand. Why should you you always be saying how great God is, blah blah etc etc!"
From an objective point of view, yes, it probably does look a bit repetitive and boring, but when you're emotionally involved, it's what Jesus deserves and praising Him delights the heart. Besides, He deserves every bit of it AND MORE!
Have you ever seen someone in love and thought: "What does that person see in him or her?" It seems inexplicable.
Or, have you ever been chastised for cheering your team on too loudly in a cup final?
"Mum, I can't help it", I remember saying when she told me off for being too exuberant. Eventually, she came over to my way of thinking and started supporting my team! I can see her now, an elderly lady, watching Arsenal, wrapped in a red and white scarf.
Football fans love to wave and clap and sing to their team. No manager would tell the fans to be quiet during a match!
Jesus was told off by the Pharisees for letting people praise Him in a loud, exuberant procession.
What did Jesus reply? Shush, calm down? No, He said, if His followers kept quiet, the very stones would cry out!
If you quiet yourself in nature, you can hear the sound of praise in the leaves of the trees, the crash of the waves of the sea and the songs of the birds. It's awesome!
Don't be like those posh folk in the Royal Box at Wimbledon (who only reluctantly gave their applause) join in the Mexican wave to our God - it's a praise party!
If not, perhaps your patio might start singing!
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