What an answer Jesus gave to the Pharisees! "I tell you, if My disciples were silent, the very stones would cry out." Their rejoicing is so strong, it must have an outlet; if they don't speak, the rocks will.This overflowing joy shows up in other places in the New Testament. For example, Peter and John said to their enemies, who were threatening them, "We cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard" (Acts 4:20).
I read this and I wonder a little: What has happened to us Christians today, that we are so silent? Have we lost that joy that the early believers had? Or are we frightened of our enemies—those who would shut us up any time we dare to speak about Jesus? Many of us have become silent rocks—steadfast in our faith, but having trouble speaking it.
I don't know. Maybe it's both reasons. But the cure is the same. Luke tells us that "the whole multitude of His disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen." The more we hear and read about what Jesus has done for us—the more we meditate on it and let it sink in deep into our hearts—the more joyful we become, until we can't help spilling over. We "rocks" find ourselves crying out for joy. (by Dr. Kari Vo, Lutheran Hour Ministries)