stones

"hosanna!" we shout.

"you've got to be kidding me," we mutter after hearing heartbreaking news.

"praise God!" we sing with our community of faith.

"he did what? what about the kids?" our heads spin. we can't believe what we are hearing.

"blessed is He who comes...!"

"she's got cancer? are you sure?"

"God, You are good!" we continue to say...regardless of circumstances.

when you claim a city as a church planting family or as a family who loves their town well,

you will have moments of rejoicing over your city and town and moments of weeping over your city and town.

"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!” {Luke 19.37-38}

followers of Christ stopped to praise Him. to give Him adoration. to celebrate His goodness, His love.

"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 19.39-40}

doubters of Christ stopped to criticize Him. Christ victoriously answered that He will always get His praise...regardless.

"And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it,  saying, “Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes." {Luke 19.41-42}

 Christ wept. His heart broke over a city who rejected Him still. the city of Jerusalem.

if Christ were to ride in on the streets of your city, your town, how would He be received?

our city is a decorated, festive place. street fairs and parades are common.

though my heart grieves today that Christ would not be well received by the masses yet.

how will you celebrate this Easter? or will the stones have to do the praising?

my heart hasn't been overflowing this week. part of me wants to blame it on sick children, needs arising, demands made, church Easter preparations.

but i refuse to let the stones do the praising.