Today’s scripture: Luke 19:28-40 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (David Zier):
As I read today’s passage, I was reminded of the journey Jesus took in his three years of ministry. We associate this passage with Palm Sunday, but we could view it as the end of the pilgrimage Jesus was on in his ministry of three years. Whether we realize it or not, we are all on a pilgrimage in some way or another.
When I was in seminary, driving to Richmond and back to Indianapolis, sometimes four days a week, I had a habit of stopping at small cemeteries along the small towns on Route 40 to walk and pray. Some of the cemeteries were the oldest I think I saw in Indiana. There were a few in Straughn and Dublin, in the middle of nowhere. I liked these best because of how remote the locations, and how peaceful and tranquil the setting. I would imagine that the people were talking with me as I prayed and walked, and I would wonder about their lives and what they could share with me. I listened. I wondered. I wondered about the kind of life they lived. Many lived during a time far in the past. One could say this was one of my pilgrimages, three years of walking cemeteries as I made it through seminary.
This passage reminded me of my cemetery walks because of how the passage ends. The disciples were shouting that Jesus was the King who brings peace. The Pharisees wanted them to stop shouting. “Teacher, rebuke your Disciples.” It certainly caused some people to become uncomfortable. Perhaps some were even trying to warn Jesus to tone it down because there will be consequences. Regardless of the reasoning, Jesus says in response, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.” What was Jesus referring to about those stones?
When I would take those walks, I was free to be with God, and pray with Jesus. I could worship and celebrate, and describe my fears. The peaceful landscape would cry out God’s message. “How can you refuse such beauty and peace and tranquility? I am God and I am here with you!” The grave stones would cry out the peace of heaven, and that God’s wisdom is timeless. They would tell me, “Jesus is here walking with you and beside you.”
I don’t do those walks like I used to. My three years of cemetery walking was my quiet time, coinciding with my seminary years. Coincidentally, this is the same amount of time as Jesus’ ministry on earth. But it doesn’t end there. I still hear the stones shouting; God speaking to me through nature, through others, through time, and through myself. Even when I can become fickle like the Pharisees and want it to turn off or “tune out,” those stones continue to shout. Perhaps that is the lesson I needed to learn. Jesus’ ministry goes on. My ministry goes on. The stones and rocks continue to shout.
Thought for the day: Are you listening? Stones are shouting.
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.