Rejoicing and Praising God - Luke 19:37

The beloved physician Luke wrote how Jesus' disciples brought a young donkey, “to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon. And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way”, and in chapter nineteen and verse thirty-seven of his book Luke shared how, “the whole multitude began to rejoice and praise God” where we read:

And when he was come near, 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;

The verse reads, “And when he was come near, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, ...” Luke began with the words, “and when” or “and at the time and moment” “he was come near” which means “Jesus arose and appeared close at hand”, “even now at the descent” or “moreover already by, near and toward the place of declivity” “of the mount of Olives” which means “at the rising above the plain or mountain filled with olive trees”. Luke shared when Jesus approached the “declivity” of the mountain of Olive trees the following occurred.

The verse continues, “... 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;” Luke added the words, “the whole multitude” or “the entire crowd and every one” “of the disciples” which means “pertaining to the students, pupils and attendants” “began to rejoice and praise God” or “started and initiated salutation, farewell, God speed and joyful greeting and honor, respect and glory to the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit” “with a loud voice” which means “using and employing a great, majestic and exceedingly strong sound or tone of uttered words” “for all the mighty works” or “because and on account of the powerful and strong performance of miracles” “that they had seen” which means “which the people in the crowd had observed, notice and discerned”. Luke shared how the entire “crowd of people” who were Jesus' students and attendants started to “be exceedingly glad” an gave honor and glory to “God” with “loud” shouts because of all the “powerful” miracles they observed.

When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how the “crowd of people” responded to Jesus making His entrance into the city of Jerusalem while seated upon a “young donkey”. They “rejoiced” and shouted loudly as they gave praise and honor to God for all the “miracles” Jesus performed. Jesus was being honored as the scriptures prophesied (See Zechariah 9:9), and this was known as the “triumphal entry” where Jesus was being recognized as the “Christ, Messiah and deliverer” of Israel. Though things would very quickly change, this was a place where Jesus was honored and God the Father was praised for all He represented and did. Jesus came to save people from their sins, and those who recognize Him as the “Savior and Lord” of mankind will be forgiven of their sins and receive everlasting life with God.

Next time Luke shares how the crowd says, “Blessed be the King that comes in the name of the Lord”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".