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Whether we choose to acknowledge the truth of something, our personal decisions do not change what is actually true of it. And when we make marriage or sex or gender-or absolutely anything for that matter-different than its inherent truthfulness, we ‘go against the grain’ of reality’s built-in framework for it. Or take sex, for example: God’s design in reality for sex is that it be enjoyed within the context of marital covenant. Or, take gender for example: God’s design in reality for gender is male and female. Take marriage, for example: God’s design for marriage is between one man and one woman. This same principle extends to every area of life. But our acknowledgement of it-one way or another-does not change the reality of it. And we can acknowledge its design, framework, and truthfulness-or not. Take, the laws of physics and gravity, for example: Those governing structures constrain us to live in a certain way. And whether we acknowledge its truth or not, it still ‘speaks’ on its own accord of its truth. We can acknowledge what is true of its design and framework – or not. And we can choose to live in a way that ‘goes with the grain’ of reality – or not. Scientifically, mathematically, biologically, morally, sexually, relationally, etc. There are governing, built-in truths that guide, frame, and endow it with a sense of meaning and flourishing. When God made the universe, He created it with a certain design. Let’s dive into each layer of meaning here.ġ.The first meaning of ‘the very stones will cry out’ conveys that creation will ‘speak’ to what is true-whether we, as humans, acknowledge it or not. There are, I believe, 3 different layers of meaning baked into Jesus’ phrase, “the very stones will cry out.” But together, they communicate 1 overarching idea: Namely, whether you acknowledge the truth of God or not-and specifically how He has revealed himself in Jesus Christ- the truth still stands on its own accord. As with most of the Bible, it is much more complex than our cursory reading might suggest.
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I don’t think Jesus means that, literally… But here’s what it can mean, and some biblical scholars have helped me out here. What does Jesus mean, “The very stones will cry out”?ĭoes Jesus mean that if the crowds stop praising him, then the literal rocks will literally grow mouths and start singing Hillsong’s, “If creation sings your praises, so will I” worship song? Will a Christian version of the ‘Rolling Stones’ come out of this? “Even if these are silent, the very stones will cry out.” (Luke 19:40)
![in the name of jesus we will shout it out in the name of jesus we will shout it out](http://us-cdn.spooncast.net/casts/e/8nRdle4s5GRoml/ae0a2021-b361-41eb-89d1-ea05881cf04d.jpg)
Perhaps you’ve heard it before, and even scratched your head: Yet, Jesus’ response to them is somewhat mysterious, highly prophetic, and incredibly profound. Ironically, these religious leaders are not wrong-as the crowds who chanted, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord” will later cry, “Crucify him!” only 5 days later. They tell Jesus that he ought to rebuke the crowds, because after all, their cheering and praising is probably misled, fickle, or somewhere in between. But while the crowds are cheering and praising, the religious leaders are criticizing and complaining. On Palm Sunday-the start of the week of Easter-churches usually preach and teach on the Scripture most commonly referred to as Jesus’ Triumphal Entry, which recounts Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem on the week of Passover, five days before his crucifixion.Īs the story goes, the crowds welcome Jesus in celebration and honor by waving palm branches and laying them down on his pathway (a customary form of honor in that day for notable, public figures)-hence the name, Palm Sunday.