Praise His Name

As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that 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 in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.” Luke 19:37-40

I read through the book of Luke last week and these verses have stuck with me. This is Jesus’ glorious entry into Jerusalem. Notice the excitement from the disciples. They are rejoicing. My first reaction to their excitement is, did they understand what was going to happen? Did they know that Jesus’ days were numbered? We see in Luke, on three separate occasions, Jesus has told them that the day was drawing near—He was going to die. How are they celebrating knowing that He is leaving them? They are celebrating and praising Jesus because He is the King. He is the Messiah. They did not completely understand God’s plan and how Christ's death would fit into that plan (Luke 18:34). So they trusted. They trusted in the One who saved them. They trusted in the One who lead them. They trusted in the One who gave sight to the blind and made the lame walk. They trusted in the one who fed thousands with some bread and fish. They trusted in the One who brought life to the dead. Do you understand this? They didn’t know the ultimate plan of God but they trusted in His will. We don’t always understand but we must trust in God’s plan. So, what’s not to celebrate?

I love how the Pharisees continue to hang around always trying to put a damper on things. Look at verse 39; “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” They were telling Jesus to shut His followers up. Jesus than throws a knockout punch; “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.” Are you kidding me? The very stones would cry out. That is impossible right? What is Jesus saying? He is screaming, “the universe was made to worship Me—God!” Everything was made by Him for Him. The disciples are not worshiping and praising a mere man. They are worshiping and praising God. This is our duty. This is our call. The Pharisees always had something to say and Jesus was pointing out to them their flaws. They could have stopped the disciples from rejoicing but they were not going to stop God from being glorified. Look around you everything praises His name. This statement by Jesus takes me to Psalm 148. Have you read this amazing chapter? Take some time and read it below.

Praise the LORD!

Praise the LORD from the heavens;

praise him in the heights!

Praise him, all his angels;

praise him, all his hosts!

Praise him, sun and moon,

praise him, all you shining stars!

Praise him, you highest heavens,

and you waters above the heavens!

Let them praise the name of the LORD!

For he commanded and they were created.

And he established them forever and ever;

he gave a decree, and it shall not pass away.

Praise the LORD from the earth,

you great sea creatures and all deeps,

fire and hail, snow and mist,

stormy wind fulfilling his word!

Mountains and all hills,

fruit trees and all cedars!

Beasts and all livestock,

creeping things and flying birds!

Kings of the earth and all peoples,

princes and all rulers of the earth!

Young men and maidens together,

old men and children!

Let them praise the name of the LORD,

for his name alone is exalted;

his majesty is above earth and heaven.

He has raised up a horn for his people,

praise for all his saints,

for the people of Israel who are near to him.

Praise the LORD!

Psalm 148

This is what the Pharisees didn’t understand. All things praise Him. This is the God we serve. We praise the One who spoke the universe into existence. We praise the One who entered Jerusalem on a colt as He prepared to die. We praise the One who was nailed to a cross. We praise the One who conquered death and sin and rose 3 days later. We praise the One who promised a return. Join the universe's choir in praising His great name. Join with the angels, hosts, sun, moon, shining stars, highest heavens, waters, sea creatures, fire and hail, snow and mist, stormy wind, mountains, hills, fruit trees and all cedars, beasts and all livestock, creeping things and flying birds, kings, peoples, princes, rulers, young men, maidens, old men, and children. Are you prepared to join this choir? This is our call, this is our mission.