Why Shout?

No picture this week–instead, before you read the rest of this, put Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus or Creed’s Arms Wide Open on full volume. Have a listen while you’re reading the passage from Luke. 

Something to think about: Luke 19:28-40

This one’s for all of us, but especially for all the introverts out there, for all those with sensory sensitivities, for all those who associate loud noises and yelling with violence and uncontrolled outcomes. This is for all of us who’ve ever been in a crowd that’s so dense we can’t see our way forward….

This Sunday, we will celebrate Palm Sunday, when Jesus entered Jerusalem and everyone was so thankful for what he had done, and caught up in the moment, that it turned into a parade. 

Sometimes the hardest place to be a disciple, to follow someone and really know what they are about is in a crowd. We struggle not to get swept up in a moment until we’re sure what it’s all about, we are afraid, perhaps, of joining a mass hysteria and then learning it’s not something good. 

So this story of Palm Sunday, with a crowd that erupts into Hosanna’s at the sight of a man on a donkey, puts up some red flags for some people. Is it just mass hysteria?   Why are they cheering? Let’s ask the questions. 

Luke’s passage gives us some insight.  Jesus didn’t start the shouting–it happened when people were praising him for what he had done and the miracles they had seen.    This wasn’t an anticipated shouting for a political party at an election or promises made.   This was celebrating what had been done, what they had seen. It’s praise.   Undoubtedly, there were those who were caught up in the crowd and didn’t know what was going on.   I hope they had a neighbour nearby to tell them the stories. 

But it’s still a lot of shouting, and if you are familiar with the stories that follow in this Holy Week (April 13-20, Palm Sunday to Easter), you know that there is a lot more yelling to come.  The Pharisees try to do something about the yelling.    They tell him to stop it.   They think the crowds are going to cause Roman soldiers in the area to be alerted and possibly cause trouble for the people.   They themselves don’t like what Jesus is saying, it questions their power and the power of the institution, and they want him to be quiet. 

Jesus says that’s not going to happen. Because there is a time to be silent, and a time to speak, and even a time to shout. And then in verse 45, he uses the momentum of the crowd to go into the temple courts and drive out those who were abusing the poor through corrupt trading practices.  They were cheating people in church, and Jesus would have none of it. He used the shouting, the popularity not only to celebrate what had been done, but what needed to be done, to have momentum for action. 

Sometimes, we get caught up in a crowd.   Question it. Ask why the yelling is going on.  Ask if this is something that will give momentum to God’s plans for love and justice in the world, or to celebrate something good that God has done.  If not, please consider not adding your voice. If it is doing something good, then please consider what other actions need to happen after the yelling has stopped.  What practical steps for justice need to happen, now that the attention has been brought to this issue?  What needs to be celebrated, and who has been given more of a chance to have their voice heard because the crowd gained attention?

Here’s a prayer for this week:

Lord, there is a time for shouting, and a time for silence, and a time to speak one at a time.  Show us when our talking, our internet presence, our social media contributions are just noise, and when they are doing something good for you and for others.  In all of our speaking, may we be listening for You through the crowd, through the noise.  We know You will guide us.   We know You’re always with us, and that You love us incredibly.  

And we know how much that love will cost you. Thank you. 

Amen 

May the love of Christ be heard in your heart no matter what noise level is going around you this week. 

Peace in Christ, 

Rev. Susan

Photo and content © Susan Kerr 2025.   May not be reproduced or circulated without permission of the author.

.