“Don’t Let Blessings Turn To Curses”
Luke 19:28-40
Ralph Edwin Hill, Greenwood United Methodist Church
18 February 2001
As they drew near to Jerusalem, the disciples knew that something was up. After securing a donkey in a most unusual manner, they led Jesus and the donkey down the hill toward Jerusalem. Luke records that those who had seen Jesus’ miracles and heard His teaching broke out in spontaneous praise. In the midst of their spontaneous shouting and singing could be heard the chorus “Bless the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in highest heaven!” (soloist sings this for us)
And so began that last week of Jesus’ life among the people. We know from historical research that many people had confused and mistaken perceptions of Jesus’ mission as he entered Jerusalem. Living under Roman oppression, they were hoping their Messiah, their deliver, would rally support to evict the Romans and establish a holy Jewish government. Jesus wanted to give them eternal peace and joyful lifestyles, but they would not look beyond their desire for comfort and security here and now. When He did not fit the mold of their preconceived notions, the tone of their shouting changed dramatically.
The people were overtly jubilant as Jesus entered Jerusalem, but those vocal shouts of “Hallelujah!” and actions of waving the palms soon turned into shouts of “Crucify Him!” and actions of jabbing their fingers at Him. The very next verse shows the seeds of discontent being planted. Even as the people rejoiced and blessed Jesus, the religious leaders chastised them for their verbosity. Fearing they might lose control, the leaders told Jesus to order the people to stop their praise, to which he replied, (verse 40) “I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.”
Jesus and his followers were not the first to be ridiculed for their jubilation before God. When King David was leading the people into Jerusalem, there was great spiritual excitement that the ark of the Covenant was coming back to Jerusalem. In 2 Samuel 6, beginning with verse 15, we read: “So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.” Then it continues, “As the ark of the Lord came into the city of David, Michal daughter of Saul looked out of the window, and saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord; and she despised him in her heart.” How sad, that at a time of greatest joy, she chose to despise someone who was experiencing and expressing that holy joy. Her notion of the dignity of kingship absolutely did not allow the expression of holy joy that was coming from King David. (Scene from “God Is Good” of bass guitarist dancing before the Lord. Scene from “Shout to the Lord” of the worship leader dancing before the Lord.)
It was a time that should have been for blessing, but she chose to turn it into cursing. Hundreds of years later, as God incarnate in Jesus of Nazareth entered that same city, that same self-righteous attitude showed its ugly face again. Those who were found (not lost) in the joy of the moment came under judgment from those who had blocked themselves from experiencing and expressing the awesomeness of the living God and the profound joy of a relationship with that God. Paul describes them as people who are “…holding to the outward form of godliness but denying its power.” (2 Timothy 3:5)
I wondered with you last Sunday what kind of impression we who know Jesus leave with those who don’t know Him as their Savior. When they see and hear us, do they think “Wow, there must be something to this Christianity thing. The joy and peace in that person was amazing. I’d like to check it out.” Or would it be a less positive impression like “Well, if that’s what it’s like to be a Christian, then count me out.”
I remember Tex Sample sharing his early memories of a righteous person being like someone who had a steel rod running from the base of their spine to the top of their neck. Instead of seeing the joy and peace that Jesus modeled in His life, Tex saw only a sour attitude and judgmental nature in the “Christians” who surrounded him during his childhood.
Of course, while a stale and stagnant worship expression dishonors God and is a poor witness to others, the other poor witness comes from persons who are very positively expressive in worship on Sunday morning, but then present a very different picture during the week – like the people who shouted “Hallelujah!” as Jesus entered Jerusalem, only to shout “Crucify Him!” just a few days later. James counsels in his letter to the first-century Christians: “With it [the tongue] we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sister, this ought not to be so.” (James 3:9-10) Our worship and our lifestyle should be a blessing to God, an encouragement for us, and a witness for those who don’t yet know Christ personally.
Could you use a little more joy and peace in your life? Then look at the children. What did Jesus say about them? Two things: First, while we may normally assume our role is to model proper behavior for them, Jesus says “…unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 14:3) Secondly, if we do model negatively for them, Jesus says “If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were fastened around your neck and you were drowned in the depth of the sea.” (verse 6) Look at the spontaneous joy (and sorrow) the children can experience and express, and let’s take the hint.
I ask again, could you use a little more joy and peace in your life? As we prepare to enter the season of self-examination called Lent, I invite you to reflect on what keeps you from experiencing and expressing the holy joy of knowing Jesus as your Savior and Lord. Would the stones have to cry out in praise by default because you refuse to do so?
Good news comes from Claim the Name: Confirmation Teaching: “John Wesley used the term justifying grace to name God’s continuing work to bring persons to a realization that they have sinned and to the desire to turn away from sin, to be forgiven, and to experience a right relationship with God [which is expressed in joy and peace]. United Methodists believe that we are justified by faith. That means when we repent, we do so with the faith that God is there and accepts us as we are. We do not need to buy or earn God’s forgiveness and love by good works. God responds to us in love when we ask for forgiveness and give God first place in our lives. Our changed behavior (good works) comes as a result of our knowing that we are loved and forgiven by God and our committing to live a faithful life with God at the center of our lives.” (p. 52)
I’m not saying that you have to dance before the Lord and the people like King David in order to show your spiritual joy,
- but I’m not excluding that possibility.
I’m not saying you have to raise your hands when you sing songs and hymns of praise and petition,
- but that’s certainly appropriate and biblical.
I’m not saying you will have a PollyAnnish out-of-touch-with-reality attitude about the difficulties of life,
- but you certainly will be able to say with the Psalmist in all circumstances “My cup runneth over.” (Psalm 23),
- or with Paul that “all things work together for good for those who love God…” (Romans 8:28,
- and you can affirm with me that “God will make a way where there seems to be no way.”
Please know that I’m not scolding you. With you, I experience the hesitation about what others think. With you, over the years I have been shown a very quiet method of worship, and it’s scary to break out of that mold. But I also know:
- God wants to deliver His people from physical and spiritual oppression,
- that growth and learning and change are necessary and healthy parts of life,
- that God delights in us and loves to bless us (see Isaiah 62:4), and
- that God is enthroned, lifted up, and pleased when we praise Him (see Psalm 22:3).
The truth and the Good News is that God wants to redeem us from the pit of sin and despair. The invitation is to a life filled with joy and peace. So let’s not allow our blessing to turn to cursing. But let’s also be careful that we don’t give the stones the opportunity to shout out in the absence of us giving rightful praise to Jesus our Lord and Savior. (analogy of stone dropped into a pond, causing ripples throughout the whole body of water) Let’s allow the Holy Spirit to fill us with joy that overflows in praise and thanksgiving as we worship and serve the King of kings and Lord of lords.
(11:00 sing “We Come To Give You Praise” and “Shout to the Lord,” followed by asking people to tell where they have seen God at work this week.)
