Devotions

Stone of Remembrance

              Ash Wednesday often takes place in February, setting off the forty days of the Lenten Season.  As a way to turn our thoughts toward the events leading to Good Friday and Easter Sunday, we will begin this study with the Triumphal Entry of Jesus (Read Luke 19:28-44).  More than 500 years before this event Zechariah prophesied that the Messiah would enter Jerusalem on a donkey (Zech. 9:9).  The donkey was a humble beast signifying peace.   It was also the animal used by the prophets, judges and rulers of the Old Testament.   So we can understand the symbolism of Jesus entering the city on a donkey.  He was entering as the prince of Peace.

              Passover was a great time of celebration and rededication.  Every man over the ago of 12 was required to make a yearly pilgrimage to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover.  As the pilgrims came near Jerusalem they would recite Psalm 118 (Read the Psalm, and note verses 20 – 29).  Verse 27 speaks about the fact that God has made His light to shine on us.  Then it is as though someone inserted ritual instructions.  “With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession up to the horns of the altar.”  Palm branches were symbols of celebration and righteousness and they were used in this celebration to accompany the Passover concerning the Messiah.  The people recite Psalm 118:26 as they escort Jesus, the Lamb of God, into Jerusalem. (See Luke 19:38).  The Pharisees recognize what is happening.  They tell Jesus to rebuke His followers and ask them to quit quoting prophesy (verse 39).  Jesus replies, “I tell you, if they keep quiet the stones will cry out” (verse 40).

              Read Joshua 24.  Here we see that Joshua challenges the people to renew their covenant with God and erect a stone of remembrance to stand as a reminder of their promises. Verse 27 tells us that the stone was a witness of their promises.  If they were untrue, the stone would bear witness or “cry out” against them.  Could this be the point Jesus was attempting to get across to the Pharisees?  Was He trying to remind them to be true to the covenant?

              Joshua 24: 25-27 is the seventh stone of remembrance found in the book of Joshua. It began with Joshua 4:20-24, the setting of the twelve river stones.  Look at the other stones of remembrance and note the lesson or message of each: First – God is faithful (Josh. 4:20-24); second—God expects obedience (Josh 7:26); third—God gives a chance for repentance (Josh. 8:19); fourth—God fulfills His promises (Josh 8:32); fifth—God will defeat His enemies (Josh. 10:26-27); sixth—a reminder of unity (Josh. 22:27) and the seventh—a reminder of the covenant between God and Israel (Josh. 24: 25-27).  These stones were witnesses to Israel’s history.  The stones would bear witness to the truth even if the people would not or could not tell it.

              In Luke 19: 41-44, we see Jesus weeping over Jerusalem and the people.  The hearts of the people were hardened like stones just as the prophet said.  (Read Isaiah 6: 9-13).  Sometimes we harden our hearts to the words of God. Like the Pharisees and religious people of Jesus’ day, we get comfortable in our rituals and routines. It is easier to disobey than to obey and we miss out on the good things that God has planned for us.  We are children of the King and He wants us to live like princesses.  But we are content to live like paupers, if it means having our own way. Jesus weeps over hard hearts and His tears can soften them.

              As we begin to consider how you will observe the forty days of Lent, first learn a lesson from the seven stones of remembrance found in Joshua.  These stones bear witness to the truth. Second, take time to think about Jesus as the King of Kings. Third, consider how you should live your life as a daughter of the King. Can God depend on you? Put a small purple stone or amethyst where yo