”After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, 30 “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. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it.’” 32 Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. 33 As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?” 34 They replied, “The Lord needs it.” Luke 19.28-34
“… your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” Zechariah 9.9
The end is near for Jesus. He’s going up to Jerusalem and arrives at Bethphage and Bethany, both towns where he’s been before. Looking out over the city on the Mount of Olives. This is a place I’ve been half a dozen times. Standing on the hill, seeing the sprawling buildings, the many towns around the “holy city.” It must have looked much different in Jesus day. No honking horns, no smog from factories, no electric lights to spoil the night sky.
But this day was significant in the life of Jesus. It was the day he would enter as Messiah, riding on a donkey, fulfilling the prophetic word spoken many years ago by Zechariah. “Your king is coming to you….humble…mounted on a donkey.” And so, he required a donkey and sends two of his disciples into the village with instructions on how to acquire one. When they see the donkey which no one has ridden, tied up, they are to untie it and bring it. And if people ask, which they surely will, just say — “The Lord needs it.”
Have you ever tried this in a car lot? Can you imagine the response? The Lord needs this corvette, so I am taking it! It wouldn’t fly. But the donkey, it might not have been a corvette (that would be a stallion!) but it was of value. But more than that, it was needed to carry the Messiah ceremonially down from the Mount of Olives into the Holy City on his final trip as a free man.
“The Lord needs it.” What does the Lord need from us to help accomplish his mission on earth? Is it our resources, funds, free time or faith? What does the Lord need from us to make disciples, build the kingdom, bring him glory and honor? For isn’t this why we live, move and have our being? Jesus was wholly devoted to please his Father and so shall we be also.
Have you asked this question of yourself? “What does the Lord need?” Will you ask it this veryday? Will you, like Jesus and his disciples, join God in his redemptive work to rescue humanity?
”O Lord God, I sit here today on a rainy day in the fall, in the midst of a world still in need of your salvation. I feel like some days I am really joining you in your work. And other days, I am just living for the moment and enjoying the life you’ve given. I think though, that I can do both – live for you and enjoy this life. For you’ve given us these moments to not only be intentional but to intentionally love your creation and help fulfill your Great Commission. Come now, Holy Spirit, fill me with your power and love. Equip me to ask you, “What does the Lord need?” And then walk in obedience every step of my life. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen