Silence Isn't Golden

“But He answered and said to them, “I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out.”

Luke 19:40


Most people recall Jesus triumphal entry into Jerusalem that we read about in all four gospel accounts. Luke records the events for us in Luke 19:29-40 when he writes, “And it came to pass, when He drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mountain called Olivet, that He sent two of His disciples, saying, “Go into the village opposite you, where as you enter you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Loose it and bring it here. And if anyone asks you, ‘Why are you loosing it?’ thus you shall say to him, ‘Because the Lord has need of it.’ ”So those who were sent went their way and found it just as He had said to them. But as they were loosing the colt, the owners of it said to them, “Why are you loosing the colt?” And they said, “The Lord has need of him.” Then they brought him to Jesus. And they threw their own clothes on the colt, and they set Jesus on him. And as He went, many spread their clothes on the road. Then, as He was now drawing near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen, saying:“ ‘Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the LORD!’ Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” And some of the Pharisees called to Him from the crowd, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples.” But He answered and said to them, “I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out.”

There were two notable responses to Jesus that day that are important to remember in the days we find ourselves living in today. As Jesus fulfilled the word of God first given by the prophet Zachariah in Zachariah 9:9 where the Messiah would come to His people riding on the colt of a donkey the people who knew the word of God were elated and began to sing out, “‘Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the LORD!’ Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” We read that the some of the Pharisees told Jesus to rebuke His disciples and make the people stop and Jesus response is what is so important for us today. Jesus said, “But He answered and said to them, “I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out.” The point is this today, its not just our God given responsibility as followers of Jesus to sing His praises in public for all the world to see and hear. It’s also our privilege, a right, that even our Founding Fathers understood and guaranteed us in our constitution.  

There is a vocal minority in this country that seeks to intimidate the church from exercising her rights as children of God. No one is forced to go to church and gather to worship the King of Kings and no one has the right or the ability to infringe upon that God given right. Since those who serve in government do understand the constitution that clearly in the most plain language says in the first amendment, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” Politicians have sought to circumvent the constitution claiming “emergency powers” as a means of undermining the constitution and just like on the day Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey where the Pharisees (the law makers in Jesus day) tried to prohibit the expression of worship some lawmakers seek the same things today.

Like the apostle Paul, I am thankful for you and I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, loved ones, those who won’t keep silent, who in all truth, can’t keep silent. I am thankful for you who understand that God Himself established the church and declared that not even the gates of hell could prevail against it. I thank God today for the men and women and young people around the world who are embolden by that truth and come together faithfully each week to pray and sing to God, to cry out to Jesus with a loud voice, yes, even a shout of praise declaring, “‘Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the LORD!’ Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” Silence is never golden when it comes to singing God’s praise!

“I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.”


Psalm 104:33


I LOVE YOU!




Michael Osthimer

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