Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem the week before His crucifixion was an occasion for His followers to shout His praises. They cried, in various forms, “Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord.” They proclaimed praises as they acknowledged that He was both, King and Lord.

The self-righteous religious leaders, the Pharisees, demanded that Jesus quiet the people. The Pharisees were enraged that these common folks were proclaiming Jesus to be the Son of God. “Tell these people to be quiet,” the Pharisees said.

Jesus’ response was, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.” He said if the people did not praise Him, He would be praised even if the stones had to cry out.

Later, as Jesus was crucified, there was an earthquake and the rocks split!

The Roman officer who led the crucifixion squad, saw all that was happening on Golgotha. He saw the darkness settle over them; he felt the tremors of the earthquake; he saw the rocks split. This Roman officer was convinced by the miracles surrounding Jesus’ crucifixion—and his mind was changed about Jesus.

This is what the Scriptural record says: When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!”

Men had stopped praising Him. They now reviled and ridiculed Him.

“…and the rocks split.” The leading Roman officer and soldiers with him were amazed at what took place. They agreed with their Centurion when he declared, “Truly this was the Son of God!”

At the triumphal entry Jesus had said, “If these people stop praising me, the rocks will cry out.” At the crucifixion, the almighty God split the rocks and caused the very ones who crucified Him to declare “Jesus is the Son of God.”

“Let heaven and earth praise him.” ~~Psalm 69:34

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