Mark 11:1-3
“As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, saying to do“Go to the village ahead of you, and just 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 doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’ ”
Mark 11:1-3 NIV
A day does not go by that God does not want us to know that He loves us. Others may tell us they don’t love us anymore or act like they don’t care about us anymore. However, God says I will never leave you nor forsake you and nothing can separate you from My love. This God who loves you is also your King.
Jesus knows the flow of events that will follow. He knows what awaits Him in Jerusalem, reception, rejection, crucifixion, and resurrection. He goes to face this future trusting that His Father is in control. He has warned His followers at least three specific times that He will go to Jerusalem and be rejected and crucified.
Now, He sets the plan in motion. He sends His followers to get the young donkey that will begin the last phase of His journey of sacrifice and salvation. He embraces that future knowing the cost.
Along the way, He will have opportunities to turn away from that future, He could choose not to not ride into Jerusalem on the young donkey. He could avoid confrontations with the powers that be in Jerusalem. He could opt out of the sacrifice while in the Garden of Gethsemane. He could call down angels to save Him. He could refuse to go to the cross, and He could come down from the cross to prove His identity.
Yet, in each case and at every crossroad of decision, Jesus embraces the will of God, accepts His role as the sacrificial Son, and fulfills the prophets words. The cross will be no accident. His sacrifice will not be something forced on Him. His rejection and humiliation will not be some surprise over which He has no control.
Jesus has come to serve and to give his life as a ransom for sinners, even the very sinners who will mock, abuse, and murder Him. This future is the one Jesus embraces as He sends his followers for the young donkey. He has need of this young donkey to begin this final part of the journey that will ultimately take him to the cross and bring His grace to us.
When we are new believers, we may see amazing things happen in our lives. A sinful addiction may disappear. We may be filled with a sense of peace we didn't expect. We may find God answering our prayers quickly and completely.
Those signs are not necessarily going to stay with us. As we see answered prayer, our faith in God should develop. Before too long, God may shift the lesson from God will provide what we ask Him, to God will provide what we need, even if it's not what we ask.
This is a deepening of our faith that must occur if we are to become mature spiritually. The disciples show some of this faith when they agree in their limited understanding to seemingly get a donkey just because Jesus told them to.
Christ's coming into Jerusalem thus remarkably, shows that He was not afraid of the power and malice of His enemies. This would encourage His disciples who were full of fear. Also, that He was not disquieted at the thoughts of His approaching sufferings. But all marked His humiliation and these matters teach us not to mind high things, but to condescend to those of low estate.
How ill it becomes Christians to take state, when Christ was so far from claiming it. They welcomed His person. Blessed is He that comes, the He that should come, so often promised, so long expected.
He comes in the name of the Lord. Let Him have our best affections. He is a blessed Saviour, and brings blessings to us, and blessed be He that sent Him. Praises be to our God, who is in the highest heavens, over all, God blessed for ever.
Jesus is a peaceful King, a prophetic King, a servant King, and a saving King. You can trust Him, love Him, and depend on Him. He loves you, wants you, and can give you significance.
This donkey reminds me that God can take anything that seems insignificant and use it in His Kingdom, point people to Himself, and illustrate incredible divine truths we all need to know. You can be used by God!!!
Father thank You for this day and that we have abundant life because of Your Son Jesus willingness to die an obedient death on the cross. Lord let Your storehouses of abundant blessings pour out over my friend and family today. Lord we are overwhelmed by the love that you have for us. Lord we know that as You sent for the young donkey, You knew the journey to the cross has begun in earnest. Lord You knew You would pay for our sins with Your life, Your dignity, Your agony, and Your blood. Lord we bow in humble appreciation, adoration, and awe. Lord use my friend to be the touch of Your love to all today. Daddy we love You amen. Be a blessing. Love ya !
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