January 15, 2019
BIBLE READING: MARK 11
2 And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him.
3 And if any man say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye that the Lord hath need of him; and straightway he will send him hither.
4 And they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door without in a place where two ways met; and they loose him.
5 And certain of them that stood there said unto them, What do ye, loosing the colt?
6 And they said unto them even as Jesus had commanded: and they let them go.
This is the account of triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. Jesus sends two disciples on an errand for Him. The request seemed strange and confusing, but after all, didn’t much of what Jesus commanded often seem “strange” and at times seem pointless or impossible. He tells them to go to the village, and they fill find a donkey tied up at a crossroad. He tells them to loosen the donkey and bring him to Jesus. But if anyone objected to it, just to tell them that the Lord needed him.
I would have some questions:
1. Whose donkey is this, Jesus?
2. If the donkey is tied up, surely someone owns him.
3. Won’t people think we are stealing it, Jesus?
4. Shouldn’t I go ask someone first?
5. Will we get in trouble for this?
6. Why do you need a donkey?
7. Which crossroad specifically are you talking about?
I’m sure Jesus grows weary on occasion of our constant questions produced from lack of faith. These men never questioned Jesus or his command. Jesus quietly explained, mentioned some possible snags, and the protocol if it does.
So they went, things went fine, and when they were loosing the colt, some men watching asked, ”what do ye, loosing the colt?” And just as Jesus had said, they told the men what Jesus said to say. And would you believe it, these men watched strange guys walk up and loose a colt that doesn’t belong to them and take off with it. And when they ask them what they’re doing, they simply say that Jesus needed it and the men let them take the colt, no further questions.
This is our life of service to the Lord in a nutshell. This brief encounter with Christ reminds us that if Jesus asks us to do something, we don’t need to ask any questions. We just need to obey. No need to wonder if it will work out like Jesus said, it will. Whatever Jesus calls us to, He will carry us through. So, whatever “crossroads” Jesus sends you to today, just do it. It will work out.