Luke 19:40 He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”

This morning at church, we heard a sermon on the description of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem in Luke (19:28-40). Jesus was coming as The King, but he turned out to be not the kind of king that many were expecting. He looked like something less than they wanted, but turned out to be way more than they could imagine.

Zechariah 9:9 (NIV)
Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

When the pharisees  told him to quiet his disciples. Jesus replied that if they were to be quiet, the stones would basically take up singing his praises.

The more I think of it the less difference there seems to be between Lent and Advent. Two sides of the same coin? I wonder.

A poem that I wrote for Advent a few years ago seems to be just right for Lent right now:

Advent

When we sat in darkness,
You came to us in light.
When we lived in helplessness,
You came to us at night.

Yet you were not what we expected.
We had hoped for something else.

God, you came to us the unexpected saviour.

We waited for a warrior;
You came the prince of peace
We sought a mighty power
Which would set our captives free.

You are not what we’d expected;

Helpless babe in young girl’s arms
Lord, you came to us an unexpected saviour.

We sought an end to poverty
You preached to us good news
We wanted vindication
Forgive me if I seem confused.

You are not what I expected
I had prayed for something else

You came to me an unexpected saviour.
Jesus, yes an unexpected saviour.

I long for ease and comfort
You expose my naked soul
And the life I’ve built so carefully
Tear down to make me whole.

You upset my money tables,
Drive my demons into pigs
You are not what I’d expected in a saviour.

Jesus, Heavenly Father,
Holy Spirit, Lord of Lords,
My dreams and hopes and wishes
Are idols I can ill afford.

Come to me so unexpected
Take my rags, but make me yours.
I welcome you Lord Jesus, unexpected Saviour!

JM November 2009

In the sermon this morning told we heard that even though stones are not known for being smart, they would still be able to recognize Jesus as King of Creation.  Could we do any less?