The Only Appropriate Response

As Jesus was entering into Jerusalem for the last time, the Scripture says that the disciples began to joyfully praise the Lord in loud voices.  Why do we have to know that it was with loud voices?  The Holy Spirit was revealing to us a spirit of praise that bursts forth from the hearts of these followers that could not be contained.  It was passionate.  It was emotional.  It was intense.  The disciples were so moved by this moment that they spontaneously broke out in song and praise, and it was not quiet.  It was in loud voices that they proclaimed Jesus as the Messiah.

I wonder why we do not worship like this?  Refined and dignified, we call upon Jesus.  We sing to ourselves and pray in our heart.  We refrain and constrain our adoration.  How sad this is!

The Pharisees became angry and called upon Jesus to rebuke them and shut ‘em up.  One reason that we struggle in letting ourselves go in worship and adoration to our God is because we are fighting a religious spirit.  Religion brings death because it is always telling us what we are doing is wrong.  Religion has even convinced us that it is not appropriate to praise Him with loud voices.  We don’t fight this spirit when we are at a football game or basketball game because the spirit of religion could care less if we are passionate about things that have no eternal consequence.  But when we come to church or consider His goodness, is it not the only appropriate response?

Jesus responded by saying, “if they keep quiet, the rocks will cry out.”  It was a statement that their praise was appropriate at this moment.  That moment warranted nothing less than jubilation and celebration.  After all, the nation of Israel had been waiting for this moment for so long.  The prophets had written about the coming Messiah.  The people had read about it, and the teachers had been teaching about this day for so long.  It would not have been appropriate to quietly acknowledge His presence.  The only appropriate response was jumping and shouting!  No other reaction than singing and dancing would have given the appropriate honor to this moment.  Jesus was more than just another teacher.  He was more than just a prophet.  He was God come down.  He was their Messiah.  He was their Deliverer and Redeemer.  How could they stand still or remain quiet?

When you consider all that God has done and all He promises to do, the only appropriate thing to do is to passionately worship Him.  Sing. Dance. Shout. Leap.  Your Deliverer has come!  Your Savior is here!  Your God is with you!  He has come down to you by the Holy Spirit and He is worthy to be praised.