Even Creation Worships Him

Picture this: Jesus is making His descent down the Mount of Olives on a colt toward Jerusalem. He knew this path would ultimately lead to suffering; nails in his hands and feet; a crown of thorns; betrayal from friends; and at the end, a cross He would not only have to carry but hang and die on as He carried the sin of the whole world.

If it were me, I would have turned that donkey around and ascended into Heaven right then and there.

But that’s not our Savior who loves His own like no other. He followed that road through to the very end until He conquered sin and death once and for all.

The Gospel of Luke describes the scene in more detail:

“As He rode along, the crowds spread out their garments on the road ahead of Him. When He reached the place where the road started down the Mount of Olives, all of His followers began to shout and sing as they walked along, praising God for all the wonderful miracles they had seen. ‘Blessings on the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in Heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!'”

Luke 19:36-38

These followers thought Jesus was coming into Jerusalem to reign as a physical King; as the Messiah they had been waiting hundreds of years to come and rescue them from Rome’s oppression. Yes, Jesus is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords who will one day bring His perfect Kingdom to Earth. But it was not time, yet. Suffering needed to precede glory.

The Gospel of Luke continues:

“But some of the Pharisees among the crowd said, “Teacher, rebuke your followers for saying things like that!”

Luke 19:39

Get ready for Jesus’ truth bomb response:

“He replied, ‘If they kept quiet, the stones along the road would burst into cheers!'”

Luke 19:40

Even the stones would’ve praised Him if no one else did. Woah.

If the His own followers didn’t recognize Jesus for who He truly was – the Savior who came to rescue them from their sins – the very rocks He created would echo his praise.

As the story continues, Jesus laments over the city He is entering:

“How I wish today that you of all people would understand the way to peace…because you did not recognize it when God visited you.”

Luke 19:42 & 44

Peace Himself grieves over Jerusalem’s lack of understanding His purpose for coming into the world. Not to be an ideal ruler who would keep all their enemies at bay; He came for more. For our freedom; for our forgiveness; for our salvation; and to snuff out the darkness and give us His light.

How often I miss the King. How often I fail to worship. How often my heart looks elsewhere for what it desires when the Author of my life beckons my heart daily to come to Him knowing only He can give it what it truly craves.

Easter is not about bunnies, eggs, and chocolate. To be honest, I have no clue where those traditions came from, and I believe this culture could do without them.

Easter is about the Resurrection and the Life whose name is JESUS. He loved us to the point of death on a Cross. He followed the Father’s plan all the way through and defeated death and rose from the grave three days later. This is the story of everyone who puts their faith and trust in Him. He is the only way, the only truth, and the only life.

Worship is a gift that ushers us into the presence of Jesus where our attention belongs. Worship is also a powerful weapon to combat the lies between Friday and Sunday.

Between Jesus’ death and resurrection, I can imagine the middle was torture for those who followed Him. Waiting for a miracle, healing, redemption, clarity, wisdom, evidence of hope, or answers of any kind is never easy, but it will always be a part of life here on earth.

I think there will always be a part of us that is unsettled because this is not our home; our souls long for their eternal home with the only One capable of satisfying every longing.

Like the rocks, let’s join in the song of all creation that worships and stands in awe of the One who created it all and gave all of Himself for those who betrayed Him from the beginning.

Where pain is evident and hopelessness is present, Jesus is more than able to roll the stone away and produce a resurrection!

He is kind, merciful, gracious, full of hope, and turns no person away from His free gift of life. When we recognize who He is, the abundant life He came to give us is ours in full.

And that’s what Easter is all about, Charlie Brown.

Much love,

Dee