Some of the Pharisees from the multitude said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!â€
He answered them, “I tell you that if these were silent, the stones would cry out.â€
When he drew near, he saw the city and wept over it, saying, “If you, even you, had known today the things which belong to your peace! But now, they are hidden from your eyes. For the days will come on you, when your enemies will throw up a barricade against you, surround you, hem you in on every side, and will dash you and your children within you to the ground. They will not leave in you one stone on another, because you didn’t know the time of your visitation.â€Â      Luke 19:39-44 (WEB)
Luke 19:28-38 is the triumphant entry of Jesus that I have read for the last two days. In Luke’s gospel at verse 39 a different perspective is given. The Pharisees get in on the worship and attempt to put their giant pin in the worship balloon. “Jesus! Tell these people to ‘Shut up!’†Jesus cannot deny the hearts of the people in worship. Something for all of us to remember when we become so enamored of our ‘Order of Worship’; so focused on making sure we hit all the points that when true worship happens, we ‘Shut up’ and move on to the next point. Are we going to be surprised when Jesus pulls that up in His ledger on Judgment Day?
When my children participated in sporting events or performed in a concert, I was on my feet clapping and whooping! Jesus told the Pharisees that if the people did not cry out in worship that the rocks would. I do not want any rocks worshiping my LORD more intensely than I do! What is in my heart when I worship? Do I ever weep?
Jesus wept. He wept because His heart is tender to all that we do to ourselves. He wept over those mourning Lazarus (John 11). And now He weeps over the whole city of Jerusalem because they have missed seeing Him for who He really is. There are terrible times coming and Jesus weeps because the people have put their trust in buildings that will not survive the coming times. It is God who will be there for all the tomorrows.
God does not look for me just inside buildings that we have created for worship. He looks for me worshiping in my bedroom, in my workplace, and out on the streets. As I go through this day, will Jesus see me worshiping Him? Will people that I meet know that they have met Jesus even when they do not remember my name? Will the rocks cry out when I am silent?
We want to see Jesus.
To reach out and touch Him
And say that we love Him.
Open our ears, Lord.
And help us to listen.
Open our eyes, Lord.
We want to see Jesus.
– unknown author
