As Jesus was now drawing near, 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 is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" And some of the Pharisees in the multitude said to him, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples." He answered, "I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out." Luke 19:37–40 (RSV)
I am happily amused when people come to NE Iowa for the first time. So many have it in their minds that Iowa is one vast flat expanse of corn and soybeans. Even lifelong Iowans, if they grew up in the state's flat middle, are amazed when they head north out of Strawberry Point toward Elkader. Whether they continue on Highway 13 toward Prairie du Chien or head east on 128, they are surprised by the hills. They are treated to the rolling countryside. As they get closer to the Mississippi, the small mountains (Iowa Mountains) often stun them for the beauty they offer.
It does not take too great an imagination to see the smile on God's face as He created this part of Iowa. Scripture witnesses that all things respond to their Creator with rejoicing and praise. True, one could argue that these passages are merely poetic license on the part of the writer. I would argue otherwise. You cannot gaze upon all the Father has made and be deaf to their praises of His love.
St. Paul wrote in Romans that creation waits with eager longing for its redemption (Romans 8.19). We are not the only ones saved and redeemed by the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus. Why should not the redeemed creation offer its praise to the Father for so great a mercy?
The Pharisees would have the crowds silent as Jesus enters Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. Their 'hosannas' and praises of God the Father for the One who comes in the Name of the Lord grate on their sensitive ears. The Pharisees cannot imagine the Messiah coming like this, nor could it be a carpenter from Nazareth. 'Shut them up, Jesus! We won't have them praising God about You!'
With a smile, a knowing smile, Jesus announces that the stones of the ground, the stones of the walls of Jerusalem, the very stones of the Temple itself are waiting their turn to sing their praises of God. Jesus knows that all things will be made new, redeemed, and transformed. Why shouldn't the stones sing God's praises?
We have eyes that do not see the rejoicing of the hills of NE Iowa in all their majesty. We have grown numb to the Mississippi's glad flow in honor of God's purpose. We gaze across the green fields of an Iowa Summer and fail to see their hosanna's to the Lord.
All these created things, when they reflect the glory of their Creator are a hint, an astounding hint of the new heaven and earth to come. How can we not give God the praise due Him for the creation of this wonder and beauty? All the more praise for Jesus, who has redeemed it all.