A NEGATIVE right may cause as much trouble as a positive wrong. Jesus warned of this. When he was entering Jerusalem for the last time, preparatory to the experiences which led to the resurrection and ascension, he was accompanied by exultant and expectant followers.
Some of the Pharisees who stood by were apparently unhappy because of the homage paid to Jesus. They asked the Master to dampen the enthusiasm. But he replied (Luke 19:40), "I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out."
If the disciples had restrained their joy, they would have been committing no positive wrong. But they would have left unexpressed a present capacity: their inherent ability to rejoice over the good that was at hand. And this would have been a negative right.
