By Pastor Greg
A man goes on a 2-month business
trip to Europe and leaves his cat with his brother. Three days before his return, he calls home
to check on things. “So how is my cat doing,” the traveler asks. His brother
replies, "He’s dead."
Shocked, the tourist exclaims, “He's dead!
What do you mean he's dead?! I
loved that cat. Couldn't you think of a
nicer way to tell me?! You could
have broken the news easier. You could have
said that he got out of the house or
something. Then when I called before I
left, you could have said we found him,
but he is up on the roof, and we're having trouble getting him down. Then when I called you from the airport, you could
have told me that the fire department was there and scared him off the roof, and the cat died when it hit the ground.” Of course, the brother apologizes and says, “I'm sorry...you're right...that was insensitive I won't
let it happen again”. “Alright, alright, forget about it,” says the traveler. “Anyway, how is Mom”? So the brother replies, “She's up on the roof, and we're having trouble getting her down.”
You may not be aware of this but
your words have a greater impact than you
can imagine. What comes out of your
mouth carries more weight than you may realize.
According to King David, our words are actually an offering to God. He says, “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be
pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer”[1]
(Psalm 19:14). James reminds us to take
our words quite seriously. “From the same mouth
come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this
way”[2]
(James 3:10). What we say about others
is important to God. What we say about
Jesus is equally important.
The Sunday before Passover, Jesus
rides into Jerusalem on a young donkey – a colt. The Church calls this “Palm Sunday” because
of the crowd’s reaction to Jesus. What
they said about Him is quite significant.
In fact, their words played a major role
in helping this event become the “Triumphant Entry”. Look at how John describes this event.
12 The next day, the news that Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem swept
through the city. A large crowd of Passover visitors 13 took
palm branches and went down the road to meet him. They shouted, “Praise God!
Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hail to the King of Israel!” 14 Jesus
found a young donkey and rode on it, fulfilling the prophecy that said: 15 “Don’t
be afraid, people of Jerusalem. Look, your King is coming, riding on a donkey’s
colt.” 16 His disciples didn’t understand at the time that this
was a fulfillment of prophecy. But after Jesus entered into his glory, they
remembered what had happened and realized that these things had been written
about him. 17 Many in the crowd had seen Jesus call Lazarus
from the tomb, raising him from the dead, and they were telling others about
it. 18 That was the reason so many went out to meet him—because
they had heard about this miraculous sign. 19 Then the
Pharisees said to each other, “There’s nothing we can do. Look, everyone has
gone after him!”[3]
(John 12:12-19)
In spite of all the scheming and
trickery by the Sanhedrin, Jesus was able to ride into Jerusalem claiming
victory, for this is what His entry symbolizes: a peaceful victory.
In spite of all their plans, the religious leaders could not stop the
crowd from quoting from Psalm 118 – a psalm that spoke of the promised
Messiah. Jesus was triumphant in that He
had won a victory for the heart and soul of those who praised His name. Soon, He would even win a physical victory as He rose from the
grave. This victory can be heard through the praise of these faithful
witnesses. Christ could claim victory
here because sinners repented and praised His name. Jesus won a victory in the battle for the
hearts of men and women … something Satan desires for himself.
Do you remember how Satan tempted
Jesus in the wilderness? Satan was
willing to give Jesus the kingdoms of this world if only He would bow at the
devil’s feet and worship him (Luke 4:6-7).
Jesus refused, yet here He is, riding into Jerusalem victorious. He claimed victory over Satan by receiving
the praise and worship He deserved. Without
compulsion or force, people freely worshiped
Jesus as the Messiah, and by doing so, granted Jesus a victory. In fact, every time a sinful person gives
their heart to Jesus, every time they praise His name, and every time a person
allows their faith to show, Jesus is glorified before the Father’s throne. Satan, on the other hand, is humiliated and
defeated.
Jesus is honored by your praise
and worship. Through an open, public
display of your faith, Jesus is honored
before the Father’s throne. As Satan
speaks lies about you, as he accuses you before the Father, Jesus hushes all of heaven
as they turn their ear to the words that flow from your lips. Those words of praise about Jesus ascend to
the throne and surround the Golden Altar that stands in the presence of God
(see Revelation 8:3-4). Your words of
praise become like incense that fills God’s throne.
I’ll even go on to say that your
voice of praise plays a significant role in overcoming the power of Satan in this
world. Jesus instructs us to take our
confession very seriously. In Matthew
10:32-33 He says, 32 “Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will
also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 33 But everyone who
denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven”.[4] This is why I believe it’s important you and I acknowledge faith in Jesus publicly. It’s important because we live in a time when
even the non-Christian displays acts of
kindness, charity, and service. It is
culturally acceptable to be a good
person. This is the attitude among most
American citizens. So how might the
world distinguish between a follower of Christ and a non-believer? By the words of their mouth.
Two people work side-by-side
helping Louisiana flood victims. One is
a Christian, the other is not. The
difference is not seen until Jesus is praised.
Two swimmers compete in the summer Olympics. Both seem courteous and patriotic. One is a believer, the other is not. The difference is not seen until one praises
the name of the Lord. Two workers are
conscientious and diligent. Both display
an excellent work ethic. One is a
believer, the other is not. The
difference is not seen until one gives glory to God; when they allow their
faith to be seen AND heard.
I know there is a cost for letting
your faith show through. You will face
criticism and judgment. People will
watch you, expecting you to fail. And
when you do they shout “hypocrite.” But not everyone will respond this way. Some will actually come to you asking for
prayer. Sometimes your openness to Jesus
encourages others. Sometimes your faith
strengthens the faith of others.
Sometimes the words of your mouth plant a seed of faith in the heart of another. Sometimes, when you allow your faith to show,
others are strengthened and find hope …
which is exactly why Jesus could ride into Jerusalem in Triumph. Through His love and sacrifice, the whole
world could be changed, provided you and I allow others to hear our praise.
Amen? Amen.
Jesus is Lord.
[1] Tyndale House Publishers.
(2007). Holy Bible: New Living
Translation (3rd ed.) (Ps 19:14). Carol Stream, IL.
[3] Tyndale House Publishers.
(2007). Holy Bible: New Living
Translation (3rd ed.) (Jn 12:12–19). Carol Stream, IL
[4] Tyndale House Publishers.
(2007). Holy Bible: New Living
Translation (3rd ed.) (Mt 10:32–33). Carol Stream, IL.
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