ILLUSTRATION: If You Don't, Someone Else Will
There was a fellow at our school who was always saying, “If you don’t, somebody else will.” One day a teacher warned him to stop, but he just said it again. Finally, the teacher snapped, “If you don’t quit saying that, I’m going to smack your face.” The student answered, “If you don’t, somebody else will.”
That little saying fits the scene in Luke 19. Jesus was riding into Jerusalem, the crowd was rejoicing and praising God for the mighty works they had seen, and the Pharisees told Him to make the disciples be quiet.
But our Lord answered them with these words from Luke 19:39–40:
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.
The point is simple: Jesus is worthy of praise, and if one voice grows silent, another will take its place. So let us not leave the praise of our Savior to the stones. Let us praise Him while we have breath and opportunity.
Notice the opening verses: Psalm 146:1-2
1 Praise ye the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul. 2 While I live will I praise the LORD: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being.
Resources: If you’d like to read more, my books Reflections (over 200 poems), That Reminds Me Of… (52 illustrations by 24 different preachers), and What’s Right in This Upside-Down World are available on Amazon.
Disclaimer: Much of my sermon material has either been heard from other preachers or has come through study, experience, and the direction of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, I cannot claim total originality for all of this material. I hope that it will bless the reader.
Loyd’s Ministry
PO Box 112
Pfafftown, NC 27040