If Stones Could Talk: Lessons from Jesus' Triumphal Entry

Hello, fellow believers! In a world that's increasingly hostile to the unchanging truths of God's Word, it's more important than ever to dive deep into Scripture and let it shape our lives. Today, I want to share some reflections inspired by a recent homily I prepared on Luke 19:28-40—the account of Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem. We'll explore this passage under the intriguing title "If Stones Could Talk," expanding on its themes by drawing from other verses throughout the Bible. As fundamentalists who affirm the Bible as the inerrant, inspired Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17), we know that every jot and tittle is there for our instruction, rebuke, and encouragement (2 Timothy 3:16). So, let's unpack this together and see how it calls us to bold proclamation in these last days.

The Scene: A King on a Colt

Picture this: Jesus, the eternal Son of God, is approaching Jerusalem, the city of David. He sends two disciples ahead to fetch a colt that's never been ridden—a detail rich with symbolism. As Luke records, "They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road" (Luke 19:35-36). This isn't random; it's the literal fulfillment of Zechariah 9:9, which prophesies, "Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey."

Why a colt? In ancient times, kings rode donkeys during times of peace, contrasting with warhorses for conquest. Jesus enters not as an earthly conqueror but as the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6), offering salvation before judgment. The crowds get it—they wave palm branches (echoing the Feast of Tabernacles in Leviticus 23:40) and shout from Psalm 118:25-26: "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" (Luke 19:38). They've seen His miracles—the healing of the blind (Luke 18:35-43), the raising of Lazarus (John 11:1-44)—and they can't contain their praise.

But here's where it gets challenging: the Pharisees step in, demanding, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples!" (Luke 19:39). These religious leaders, steeped in tradition but blind to the Messiah, want to shut down the worship. Jesus' response? "I tell you, if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out" (Luke 19:40). Wow. If God's people won't proclaim Him, creation itself will.

Creation as a Witness: What the Bible Says

This idea isn't isolated to Luke—Scripture is full of instances where creation testifies to God's glory and judgment. Let's expand on this by drawing from other verses. In Romans 1:20, Paul declares, "For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse." The universe itself is a billboard for God's existence, leaving no room for atheism or evolution's myths. As fundamentalists, we see the literal six-day creation in Genesis 1 as foundational; the stars, seas, and stones all declare His handiwork (Psalm 19:1-4: "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge").

Think about Habakkuk 2:11: "The stones of the wall will cry out, and the beams of the woodwork will echo it." Here, in a prophecy against Babylon's wickedness, even building materials witness against sin. Or Job 12:7-10: "But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you... Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this?" Creation knows its Creator intimately, groaning under sin's curse (Romans 8:19-22) and awaiting redemption.

Fast-forward to the cross: When Jesus dies, "the earth shook, the rocks split" (Matthew 27:51). Those stones cried out in testimony to the earthquake of atonement! And don't forget the resurrection—the stone rolled away from the tomb (Mark 16:4) wasn't just moved; it stood as a silent witness to Christ's victory over death (1 Corinthians 15:54-57). In the Old Testament, Joshua sets up a stone after crossing the Jordan, declaring, "This may be a sign among you... this stone shall be a witness to us" (Joshua 4:6-7; see also Joshua 24:27). Stones remember covenants and warn against apostasy.

If stones could talk today, what would they say? They'd affirm the global Flood of Noah's day (Genesis 7-8), with fossils in sedimentary layers screaming of catastrophic judgment (2 Peter 3:5-6). They'd decry Sodom and Gomorrah's brimstone ruins (Genesis 19:24-25) as a perpetual warning against immorality (Jude 1:7). And they'd point to Calvary, where the ground absorbed the blood of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8).

The Call to Us: Don't Let the Stones Steal Your Voice

Brothers and sisters, we're not inanimate rocks—we're "living stones... being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood" (1 Peter 2:5). Redeemed by Christ's blood (1 Peter 1:18-19), we're commanded to proclaim His praises (1 Peter 2:9). In a culture that mocks biblical marriage (Genesis 2:24; Ephesians 5:31-32), denies life's sanctity from conception (Psalm 139:13-16), and promotes false gospels (Galatians 1:8-9), we face modern Pharisees saying, "Tone it down—rebuke your disciples."

But silence isn't an option. Jesus warns in Matthew 10:32-33: "Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven." The Great Commission urges us: "Go and make disciples of all nations... teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:19-20). Share the Gospel plainly: All have sinned (Romans 3:23), deserving death (Romans 6:23), but God demonstrated His love by sending Christ to die for us (Romans 5:8). Believe and be saved (Acts 16:31)!

In these end times, with signs like wars, earthquakes, and apostasy (Matthew 24:6-14; 2 Timothy 3:1-5), our witness must be urgent. Don't let fear muzzle you—proclaim Jesus as the only way (John 14:6), the Alpha and Omega (Revelation 22:13).

Wrapping It Up: A Prayer for Boldness

As we reflect on Luke 19, let's pray for the Holy Spirit's empowerment, like the early church in Acts 4:29-31: "Enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness... And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly." May our voices join the chorus: "Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!" (Luke 19:38).

If stones could talk, they'd say "Amen." But thanks be to God, we can—and we must.

What are your thoughts? Have you experienced opposition when sharing your faith? Drop a comment below, and let's encourage one another in the truth. Until next time, stand firm in the faith (1 Corinthians 16:13).

DMMC 9-29-25

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