Day 109: Getting Radical

19 Apr, 2021

The Daily Word: Monday, April 19th, 2021
Joshua 19:1-20:9
Luke 19:28-48
Psalm 88:1-18
Proverbs 13:12-14
For full text click here.

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
And some of the Pharisees called to Him from the crowd, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples.” But He answered and said to them, “I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out.” – Lk. 19:39-40

As Jesus approached the Mount of Olives on His way to Jerusalem, His disciples started to get loud. They “began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen” (v 37). They cried out to God and praised Him for His goodness! They worshipped Jesus as the King of Heaven for all the world to see.

The Pharisees – the religious people – told them to be quiet. They asked Jesus to rebuke His disciples! There were many who thought that genuine faith should be a quiet, contemplative exercise. But Jesus rebuked them. His disciples had every right to be loud as they praised Jesus! And even if they kept silent, “…the stones would immediately cry out.”

You were built to praise and worship Jesus. As time goes on, you should become more radical in your faith; not less! As you get older and more mature in your faith, you should be less reserved in your worship of Jesus; not more! People who don’t have a vibrant relationship with Jesus will tell you to keep your voice down and to “be sensible.” But Jesus deserves a radical response.

Jesus deserves not only our loyalty, but also our unfiltered praise! And whenever anyone tells you to quiet down, you should cry out all the more.

Prayer:

Father, I want to be radical in my faith! I want to share the Gospel – loudly and boldly – with everyone I meet, everywhere I go. Thank You for making me a disciple! I will go and tell the world about You, in Jesus’ name.

© Michael D. White, 2021. All rights reserved.