Casandra Martin

It is the last Sunday before everything changes. Jesus approaches Jerusalem with a heavy, but determined heart. Every plan made within the God-head comes to a focal point this week in this city in the Judean countryside. The massive temple mount dominates your sight, no matter from which direction you approach the ancient city. God stands in the center of His people. Many are unaware that He also walks in their midst.

Riding on a borrowed donkey, Jesus makes the journey down the Mount of Olives into the City of David. The people crowded into the area for the Passover celebration line the road, and begin to spread their cloaks on the ground before Jesus. In a moment almost echoing the angels who welcomed Christ at His birth, the multitude begins to praise God with a loud voice exclaiming, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” For these few minutes, the crowd surrounds Jesus with the praise that He is due. In a few days, they will be screaming for His death.

The Pharisees cannot let the moment go unchallenged. They push through the rejoicing mob and call out to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” Jesus, who I imagine must shake His head, replies, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”

Read through the Bible and one of the things that jumps out is that nature is never silent. It cycles through a continual song of praise that glorifies the One who made it. Rocks, trees, mountains, animals, stars, and even the sky join together into a chorus that declares the majesty of God. Man is the only one who has a choice about whether or not to join in.

My Jesus Resolution today is to never be silent. I want everything about my life to be a song of praise to my Redeemer. I want to live within the melody of His love. I long for my thoughts, words, actions, choices, relationships, work, and play to be in harmony with His nature and character. I want to sing. I want to sing loudly. When I do, others will either join in or criticize. Whatever they do, I am going to imitate the stones and never be silent.