Worthy Beyond Human Expectation

Advent Day #16

Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace,
good will toward men. Luke 2:14

The Shepherds must have done their assignment well that first Christmas night because the Angels’ refrain was sung again on Palm Sunday when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey.

And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest. Luke 19:37-38

When the Pharisees growled that Jesus should rebuke His disciples, Jesus said the rocks would have to cry out even if no one else spoke His praise. Jesus never did fit into the Pharisees’ box of expectations. He did not revere their dedication to the Law. He did not put the Romans under His feet. He did not fit the picture of the Messiah they wanted, and so a week later, the crowd that praised His name called for His execution.

Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spake again to them. But they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let him go. And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed. Luke 23:20-23

Perhaps many of the same voices joined the chorus of “Crucify Him,” that had just sung, “Glory in the Highest.” It is so easy to base one’s choices on the crowd. It is so easy to praise God with voices raised in song on Sunday and pretend you do not know Him on Monday around the water cooler. Modern hearts can be as fickle as the hearts of those characters in the Bible.

There will also be times when Jesus does not fit into our box of expectations. When He doesn’t do the miracle we had in mind, or His timing is so different than ours, disappointment may turn our song of praise to a hum of complaint. When our faith is tried, however, He is accomplishing something far greater than our expectations can hold. He is worthy of praise no matter what the circumstances bring, but there is great reward for those who praise Him through even the bleakest of trials. Don’t stop singing!