They lined the entrance to the city in great anticipation. Mothers with little ones running around, dancing with excitement, old men shuffling to claim their spot to see this miracle-working man.  They were waving palm branches, laying out their cloaks for His donkey to trod on. It was a celebration fit for a king.

And the noise. They shouted, “Hosanna!”  Such joy, such hope.  Were they witnessing history? Was this the day when He would finally rise and overthrow the Romans?  Finally.  They must have thought their days of oppression were over. Their King had arrived. Surely He would take His rightful place. Redemption had come.

Over the noise and chaos, the religious leaders challenge Jesus. “Tell your followers to stop shouting, ‘Hosanna!’  Only God is worthy of worship.”

I think smugly to myself…those “religious” people, they missed the Messiah again.

But Jesus answered, “I tell you, if these become silent, the stones will cry out!” (Luke 19:40)

And there it is.  I can be replaced.

By rocks.

I shake my head. Can it be?

I thought He needed my worship.  Seeing these verses as if for the first time, He speaks.  He desires my worship, but if I don’t – if we don’t – well, the rocks will cry out.  All creation worships Him.  It is silence to our ears, but He hears.

I am humbled.

I don’t want to be replaced…certainly not by rocks.

I am in awe, that rocks can even cry out!  What an amazing Creator!  I take Him for granted, this one Who is ever near, ever interceding for me.  Yet, somedays I miss Him.  My lips are silent.  Forgive me.

Hosanna!  Redemption has come, and I praise the One who became sin for me that I might become the righteousness of God. (2 Cor. 5:21)

Sitting out with the bugs and the breeze blowing definitely helped us to be grateful that this world is not our permanent home – our Savior went to build us a new home, not made by the hands of men.  Also, our bodies are just an “earthly tent” – someday we will have perfect, glorified bodies.

The weather was nice, but this being SW Florida, there were plenty of mosquitos.  We endured and I think the kids (and moms who attended) definitely took home a new understanding of this wonderful celebration.

Bible Study in our Sukkah!