July 1

Text: Matthew 21:1-3

 And when they had approached Jerusalem and had come to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, "Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied there and a colt with her; untie them, and bring them to Me. And if anyone says something to you, you shall say, 'The Lord has need of them,' and immediately he will send them." (NASB)

Jesus was quite close to Jerusalem.  He knew this would be his last visit.  He knew he was close to his death and resurrection.  Though he was not looking forward to the events surrounding his death, he was God’s willing servant.  It takes enormous courage to know unpleasant suffering lies ahead and to refuse to evade the unpleasant experiences.

As you consider today’s events, note three things.  (1) Note the enormous confidence in Jesus the two disciples had.  They were going into a village that was not their place of residence.  They were going to acquire a donkey and its offspring as if both were their property.  They did not know the owner.  If anyone asked, “What are you doing?” they were to respond, “The Lord (no name) needs them.”

(2) Note these animals would represent a sizeable investment for a poor family.  Nothing is said about anyone going with the disciples as they returned to Jesus.  Nothing is said about when the disciples would bring the animals back.  Assumption would indicate the owner was a Jesus follower who knew who “the Lord” was.  Obviously, the owner was willing to entrust what he had to “the Lord.”  If the Lord needed the animals, that was fine with him.

(3) Note nothing was said about how “the Lord” would use the animals.  Nothing is said that would indicate the disciples knew or the owner knew how the animals would be used.  The “how” was unimportant if “the Lord” needed them.

Suggestion for reflection: How is what you have available to the Lord?  (Read 1 Corinthians 9:1-12.)