This past weekend we celebrated Palm Sunday, which is marked in the gospels as the day Jesus returned to Jerusalem as King and Messiah.

Luke’s gospel account tells us:
As Jesus approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here.
If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it.’”
Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?”
They replied, “The Lord needs it.”

I’m sure that when the owners of that colt saw the disciples untying it, they were not pleased.

You and I would assume they were stealing it and would fight to defend our property.

However, we know that these men gave it without protest or argument, for Matthew tells us in chapter 21 of his gospel record:

Jesus said, “If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”

Then, we are told:

The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.

The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,
“Hosanna to the Son of David!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”
The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

The disciples spoke only Jesus’ words, just as He had commanded them: …“Say,”The Lord needs it.”

The owners, upon hearing Jesus’ words, gave no argument and “sent it right away.”  

Although none of their names are recorded, more importantly, their acts of obedience are recorded.

The disciples and the caretakers of this colt will be acknowledged before God as obedient to His Son.

Their submission to The Lord’s command fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet Zechariah:

This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:
“Say to Daughter Zion,
‘See, your king comes to you,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”

When we give freely and joyfully, it pleases The Lord and is used for His glory.

But, more often than not, by our accomplishments, our wealth, our position in society, we take the glory upon ourselves.

We often forget that God has given all that we have.

Foolishly, we desperately cling to that which we call our own, and when the thing is required of us, we refuse to part with it.

Like obstinate children, we say, Mine, Mine!!

Yet, in contrast to our self-importance and pride in what our hands have made, Paul Washer has said, “When Jesus Christ returns he will stretch forth his hand upon the world and He will say, “Mine, Mine, Mine, Mine, Mine!  It was made by Me and it was made for Me.”

The men in possession of the colt were given it for this very moment.
Jesus said to the disciples,“you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden.” It was never ridden. In other words, it was pure and untouched, reserved for a King.

Think of all that God has entrusted to you.

Whether it be your money, time, talent, resources – even your child or your spouse.

All these things He gave to you as a deposit for precisely the hour in which He needs them.

So, ask yourself:

When The Lord needs my money to support His work here and abroad…

When The Lord needs my son or daughter to leave college and travel to a foreign land to serve as a missionary…

When The Lord needs me, or my spouse to leave a prosperous, prestigious career to preach His message of salvation to a lost and dying world…

When The Lord says “Give up all you have and come, follow Me…

What will I say?

All that you have belongs to Him – even your very life.

So, when you hear His voice saying, “The Lord needs it”– will you send it right away?

Will your obedience, or your disobedience, be recorded for all to see?

 

Repent Believe Persevere