Who Is That Man? – Sunday Thought For The Day

In the Gospel of Mark 11:1-10 (KJV), we are told of the shouts and cheers directed at Jesus from the disingenuous crowd of people who had no idea who He was.

But, too often we overlook the shouts of another group.  In the Gospel of Luke 19:37 (KJV), we read: “…the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen.”

We read the account found in the Gospel of Matthew 21:10 (KJV), that the entire city of Jerusalem was moved by the frenetic crowd.  They were caught up in the excitement, but they did not know who Christ was.  The people of the city inquired, “Who is this?”  That multitude was there only out of curiosity and/or for the spectacle called Jesus “…the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.”

But the multitude, which Luke identified, as being comprised of disciples, i.e., the followers of Christ who had witnessed His “mighty works,” proclaimed: “…Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.” (Luke 19:38 KJV)

The Pharisees, who were always eager to be recognized for their religious ostentatiousness when it brought them the applause of those who were no more genuine than they themselves, were  pretenders and fakers of the faith.  They were offended by the recognition Jesus received and instructed Him to silence His followers.  But Jesus replied that if His followers: “…should hold their peace, the very stones would immediately cry out.”

Which bring me to my main point.  The Spirit and our relationship with the Christ is not to be restrained within us.  If we do not praise our Lord for the great works He has done in our lives, who else will praise Him?  Will we leave the praise of Him to those who do not recognize Him and do not know Him?

We are called to praise, bear witness and give testimony to the great works of Christ, including the testimony of how we were saved.  But we cannot do that unless we actually recognize Him as Christ our Savior, our Lord and our God.

READ:
Luke 19:28,29,37-40 KJV
28 And when he had thus spoken, he went before, ascending up to Jerusalem.

29 And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples,

37 And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen;

38 Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.

39 And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples.

40 And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.