And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Him, "Teacher, rebuke Your disciples." And He answered, "I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out." Luke 19:39-40

A graduation is a big thing. It's something to celebrate.

Celebrating. That's what a Florence, South Carolina, mother was doing a few weeks ago. She was celebrating the graduation of her daughter.

Police say her celebration, which took the form of shouting and cheering, could almost be called, "disorderly conduct." That's why, as the mother whooped her way down toward the graduation's main floor, a police officer pointed a finger at her and said, "The lady right there in white, she's going to jail." And she did.

To be fair the people attending the ceremony had been told they should behave and, if they didn't, they would be escorted out. The school district had even sent out a letter to all the parents telling them to be orderly.

Still, the mother doesn't think her cheering for her daughter was an offense worthy of incarceration. From what I saw in a public opinion poll, most people agreed with her.

As for me, as a Christian, I do feel a certain sympathy for the lady.

Why?

Because from the time Jesus rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, people have been telling Jesus' supporters to "be quiet."

Governments, other religions, unbelievers have all gone on record as saying they don't much like it when we get vocal, when we enthusiastically point to the Lord Jesus and proudly proclaim He is our Savior and Lord.

They much prefer we keep silent, that we silence our hymns, silence our proclamation, silence our worship, silence our witnessing, silence our sharing, silence our missionaries, teachers, pastors, evangelists and laity.

Well, that's just not going to happen. It can't happen.

Anyone who has taken even a casual glance at the eternal fires of hell and realized Jesus has done everything necessary to free us from that everlasting punishment, finds it impossible to contain an enthusiastic "thank you!"

As the Christmas angels said, Jesus is "good news of great joy," and His people can't help but sing His praises.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, increase my praise and let other voices be joined with mine in offering thanks to Jesus, who has offered Himself as the sacrifice to save us. In Jesus' Name I ask it. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: 1 Kings 10-11    Acts 8:26-40

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