THEY WOULDN'T STOP

Moving toward the tragedy and triumph of Easter weekend, Christians around the world celebrate Palm Sunday each year. In many churches, there is a re-enactment of the triumphal entry - or at least the waving of palm branches during the church service. (In southern climates churches they use real palm branches. In the north we have to use plastic ones, or some other kind of substitute.)
The Palm Sunday parade did not last long, but it was a fitting welcome to Jesus the Messiah. It is good in the 21st century to sing hymns/praise songs that echo the 1st century cry of "Hosanna, to the Son of David." As far as we know the adults chanted or sang that welcome for a few minutes or maybe an hour as Jesus entered the city.
But have you ever noticed that the children wouldn't stop? I must have noticed before because I have read the last chapters of Matthew dozens of times. What the children kept doing really captured my attention as I read it today in Matthew 21:14 - 16.
It may have been later on Palm Sunday. However those who attempt to harmonize the four gospel accounts agree that it was happening the next day, Monday. (For some reason, Matthew does not worry about following an exact chronological time line here.)
Jesus had cleansed the temple. He was healing those who came to him including those who were sight impaired and paraplegics. Some children in the temple area (were they watching the joy of those who were healed?) kept on shouting "Hosanna, to the Son of David." Can't you just imagine? Don't you love it? Children like repetition, and they had heard their parents on Sunday shouting this phrase. So now, on Monday, they just kept shouting praise for Jesus! And it is always hard to get children to be quiet!
Matthew records that this really irritated the Jewish religious leaders. The man they have grown to hate; the one they want to kill, is being praised as the Messiah by a group of noisy children. The chief priests and teachers of the law were indignant. "Do you hear what these children are saying?" they ask Jesus. My guess is that everyone couldn't help but hear these wonderful, loud, "just won't stop" children!
Jesus replies (was he smiling with pleasure?): "Yes, have you never read, 'From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise?'" (Matthew 21:16, quoting Psalm 8:2)
When it comes to faith - and to praise - may we keep imitating those children.