Nearly 2000 years ago, Jesus Christ made what has been called His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. As He was riding upon that donkey, a symbol of peace and humility, the multitude of disciples began to rejoice and praise God. However, the entrance of Jesus was a bittersweet one. “Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, ‘If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.’” Jesus knew that the people were not really accepting Him as their King and would, in just a few days, turn against Him. Even that day the worship was met with rebuke by the Pharisees. But Jesus replied, “I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out.”
Of course there is no need for stones to cry out whenever we gather together “in church” with our brothers and sisters in Christ, and lift and clap our hands, singing to the Lord. And this is as it should be. But what about after we leave the church building? Do the stones need to cry out at home because we are forgetting or failing to worship Christ? Jesus said the Father seeks true worshipers, which means worshiping “in spirit and truth”. This kind of worship is a lifestyle, which will be manifested in declarations of praise. We’re to worship Jesus at His footstool, praising Him for His lovingkindness and truth. In fact, we were delivered from darkness in order to worship and praise God. This is not only beneficial for us now, but it’s also our eternal destiny.
Jesus received the praise and worship of the people that day as He approached Jerusalem, but He also wept over their ignorance and unbelief. Not much has changed in 2,000 years. It is all too easy for our worship to become “mechanical”, lukewarm, and limited to our regular gathering times. When Jesus is knocking on the door at Laodicea, it is because He is on the outside seeking entrance. I believe He knocks with tears in His eyes.
Saints, let’s purpose in our hearts to be true worshipers of God. May He forbid that any stones should ever need to cry out because we lose sight of Christ’s beauty, majesty, and unending love!
