The Stone of Israel

But Jesus answered, “I tell you, if these become silent, the stones will cry out!”

Luke 19:40

As Jesus made His triumphant entry into Jerusalem on the colt, a crowd of His followers began to shout praises to Him: “BLESSED IS THE KING WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD; Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” There were Pharisees in the crowd who told Jesus to rebuke His disciples and tell them to stop their praises, but Jesus replied that if they were to stop, the stones would cry out. Stones could tell much of Jesus their Creator. They could tell of His power to make something out of nothing. The stones in Jerusalem could tell of the miracles He did there. The stones in Gethsemane could tell of His agony at facing His impending death on the cross. The stones at Calvary could tell of His crucifixion and the blood that flowed down from His wounds for the sins of the world. And the stones at His tomb could tell of His glorious resurrection. "Stones might well cry out, but we will not let them: we will hush their noise with ours; we will break forth into sacred song, and bless the majesty of the Most High, all our days glorifying him who is called by Jacob the Shepherd and Stone of Israel." (Spurgeon)