“He answered, "I tell you, if these were silent,
the very stones would cry out." -- Luke 19.40
I grew up in a small church plant. Started in 1979 by a charismatic church planter, Faith Reformed Presbyterian Church in Frederick, Maryland, experienced immediate and intense growth. Yet, in those fledgling years, the church planter decided to move away to pursue full-time studies in a Ph.D. program. Without their leader for guidance, and left with a young Session, there was significant division. This division would eventually cause such a church split that only a handful of members remained in the church. My parents were some of the few who remained.
As a four or five-year-old, I remember my father, as an elder, spending most of his free time serving the church. I recall one moment with great clarity. I was sitting on his lap, riding on the church lawnmower. It must have been close to Easter. As my dad was reflecting on the challenges of the church and the small number of people who remained I remember him ruminating out loud, “Well, Lord, you’re going to need the rocks to cry out to you this Sunday.”
Almost every Palm Sunday I think about that memory. I remember my father’s sadness, but I also remember his confidence in the Lord’s work. Years later when I was older, and the church had grown and become stable, I asked him what he meant when he said that. He reminded me of Jesus’ triumphal entry. He reminded me that Jesus’ work as our king was so important that all of creation is bursting with joy in His arrival. Nothing was going to stop Jesus from fulfilling His work to redeem His people. So much so, that the celebration of His arrival could not be stopped even if all the voices in the crowd became silent. God’s work of salvation will keep moving forward. Even in those moments when God’s people wander from singing His praise, God will not stop pouring out His steadfast love upon His beloved creation.
In that moment so many years ago, my father needed to be reminded that the church does not stand on the size of the congregation or a clear outlook for future growth. Today we might add that the church does not stand because the culture agrees with us or that it operates smoothly. The sure foundation of the church’s health does not rest in us; it rests upon the Lord. He inaugurates and sustains His kingdom.
As we head into Palm Sunday this upcoming Sunday, we look to a king who reigns and rules over His people in love. Even though we cannot always understand His ways and we must endure great sorrows, He will continue to uphold His mission to redeem His creation. Let our voices cry out together as we worship our king this Sunday!
