Christ made a dramatic and triumphal entrance into the city of David. His entry was marked by actions and words of exaltation and adoration. Some spread out their clothes on the street and others covered His path with leaves from trees they had cut down. He rode on a colt and heard the voices of those who shouted “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Mark 11:10). The Pharisees insisted that Jesus rebuke His followers and deny Himself the attention. In response, Jesus said, “I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out” (Luke 19:40). In essence, if all men were silent, His deity would still be a reality.
Just a few days later, things were drastically different. Stifled by the thought of the cross and silenced by possible retribution from the Jewish leaders, the very ones praising Christ as he entered, stood silently by the cross. So, the stones cried out. Matthew records that “the earth quaked, and the rocks were split” (Matt. 27:51). What was the result? His deity was confirmed. We know this to be the case because upon seeing this event and those related to it, the centurion said, “Truly this was the Son of God!” (Matt. 27:54). John Phillips described it this way: “They held their peace. They had nothing to say. So, the stones cried out. The rocks rent with roar.”
The questions for us are numerous. Does Christ need a witness of stones today? Are we silent in defending and sharing His deity, His power, His church, and His salvation to the world around us? In which group do we find ourselves? Are we really immovable in our character so as to not let the circumstances of our day determine our devotion to our Lord? Will we hold our peace and let the stones cry out?
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