"... The Stones Will Cry Out"

Read:
Matt 21:1-11; Mark 10:46-52; Luke 19:28-44; John 12:12-19

“Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests” declared the angels at Jesus birth (Lk 2:14). Now the people of Jerusalem proclaim “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest” (Lk 19:38). Like striking bookends of praise to begin and conclude Jesus’ time on earth.

No one deserves more praise than Jesus!

The King of the universe is coming! As if the King of all creation were coming to His own coronation, the jubilant cries of all of nature would resound with praise. As the psalmist wrote; “All you have made will praise you, O Lord;” (Ps 145:10) or Isaiah the prophet who declared 700 years earlier as he spoke of the anticipated salvation that God would one day bring; “the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.” (Isa 55:10) – and this was that day.

Jesus, the King was entering Jerusalem for the very last time as the man/God. He was making His way to establish the new creation. He who created the heavens and earth in the beginning, from beyond the heavens, was making His way to His next creative space on a hill and from under the earth where creation would happen again. This is where a covenant of salvation would be established and a ‘new Adam’ formed.

Though this new creation would be of a very different nature from the old creation, it was as though all the existing creation could feel the energy swelling as Jesus entered the holy city. By their very nature as ‘created ones’, the people on the roadside could not help but to be ‘caught up’ in the praise of the King as He passed by them. Though their hearts would soon turn dark and their cries of joy soon become shouts of violence, this day all creation welcomed their master into their presence.

Today, will you welcome Jesus the King into your life with praises as He comes to create His covenant to new life in you?

Prayer:
• Thank God that His Son was both the sovereign of all creation, the King of Kings, and also the only one who could save you.
• Confess to Him where you have not been open to His presence in your life.
• Listen to His Spirit as he shows you the things in your life that He would like to use to display His glory.
• Ask Him to change you, to heal you and give Him the areas of your life that He has just shown you.
• Thank Him for His love for you that draws you to Him.

Meditate:

Isa 55:11-13
“... My word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
You will go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
will clap their hands.
Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree,
and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.
This will be for the LORD 's renown,
for an everlasting sign,
which will not be destroyed."