Palm Sunday

Luke 19:28-40

Remember when Jesus was teaching and some of those listening warned him about the Galileans who had been killed by Pilate? (13:1)

Or later when they warned him to flee because Herod wanted to kill him? (13:31)

Time and again, people “in the know” – leaders in the towns and villages where he was preaching and teaching - shushed Jesus and his followers, warning them to know their place, to keep their heads down and stay out of trouble.

Here again, after the crowds burst into praise and shouts at his arrival in Jerusalem, some of the Pharisees come to Jesus and tell him to order his disciples to stop:

“Jesus, get your people under control.”

I am all for good order and I like knowing what to expect. But this isn’t about decorum. This is about fear.

I wonder what they were afraid of. Were they worried the Roman soldiers would report the parade to the governor? Were they afraid the assembly would become violent? Why was the crowds’ joy and fervor so unsettling?

We don’t know. Maybe they were protecting themselves or even trying to protect Jesus.

But Jesus is unwavering. Once again, he asserts God’s dominion and kingdom, declaring

“If these [people] were silent, the stones would shout out.”

The promise of God to raise up a deliverer for God’s people cannot be thwarted or silenced by human fears, doubts or disbelief.

When we hear Jesus say, “The stones would shout out” we don’t expect the stones to audibly cry out.

But consider the cries of creation that the psalmist describes when “[the meadows and valleys that] shout and sing together for joy” in Psalm 65 (v. 13) and how Saint Paul tell us that “the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains [for the glory of God to be revealed.]” (Romans 8:22) And then, imagine how the stones that make up the arid landscape of Israel might shout in joyful praise at Jesus, the Living Water sent by God, arriving in Jerusalem.

On this day, the whole of creation, including humankind, recognize Jesus is King and God has fulfilled God’s promise of a Messiah, Lord and King.

The stones would shout out.

Imagine the stones that bruised the Gerasene demoniac (Mark 5); the stones that fell from the hands of those who accused the woman of adultery (John 8); and the stones that were thrown against the prophets who came before Jesus (Luke 13:34). Those stones bore shame, judgment and punishment. But, when Jesus enters Jerusalem, he comes as the Savior who heals every ill and promises forgiveness and mercy.

The stones would shout out.

Imagine how the stones in the fortifying walls around Jerusalem or the walls of the Temple itself might shout to proclaim Jesus is Lord.

Imagine the bloodshed and agony those stones have witnessed - especially by the time of Luke’s writing, after the temple had been destroyed in 70 CE. Today the Western Wall of the Temple Mount in the Old City of Jerusalem is a sacred space where the stones literally hold millions of prayers in notes placed there in the wall’s crevices each year by visitors.

When Jesus enters Jerusalem, he comes as the Prince of Peace and one who will conquer death.

The stones would shout out.

Each of us too is invited to add our shouts of praise as we enter this Holy Week. Whether it’s the glory of creation, the beauty of forgiveness and mercy, the hope of healing or the victory of God over death and evil, may you remember how God’s presence has made a difference in your life and experience.

Name the ways God has brought you through the rocky and stony parts of life, when you have received grace and healing, and where you have experienced new life in Christ.

If we were not here to tell the story, to shout the glad hosannas and to sing and praise God, the stones themselves would shout out to proclaim the Jesus we know as Lord and King, as Messiah and Healer, and Prince of Peace.

But thanks be to God, we are here to tell the story.

This story, the story of Jesus’ last week begins today and continues on Maundy Thursday when Jesus gathers with his disciples one last time. We’ll tell the story of Judas’ betrayal and hear Jesus’ command to love one another. We will share in the Lord’s Supper together. And we will be here on Good Friday when the very same crowds, including all of us, who are praising Jesus’ name this morning will cry out, “Crucify Him!” and he will be put to death on a cross. And then, one week from today, we will be here to tell the rest of the story.

I hope you will gather with us for all of it.

Let us pray…

Holy God,

Thank you for your Son Jesus coming to us with grace and mercy.

As we enter this Holy Week, help us tell the story of your Son faithfully and to see how the whole of creation witnesses to your redeeming love.

May your Spirit give us courage to never be silenced by fear or doubt but always shout your praise and proclaim your Good News.

In Jesus’ name we pray.

Amen.