Luke 19:28-40
28 After he had said this, [Jesus] went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.
29 When he had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, 30 saying, “Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs it.’ ” 32 So those who were sent departed and found it as he had told them. 33 As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?” 34 They said, “The Lord needs it.” 35 Then they brought it to Jesus; and after throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. 36 As he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road. 37 As he was now approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, 38 saying,
“Blessed is the king
who comes in the name of the Lord!
Peace in heaven,
and glory in the highest heaven!”
39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, order your disciples to stop.” 40 He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.”
“… “The Lord needs it.” …”
It was Sunday evening, and I was lying on the floor watching “Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color” on the TV. Abruptly, mom stepped into the living room and said, “David, I need you to run over to Witmans and buy me a pack of cigarettes.”
“Ah Mom. I’m watching TV.”
“I don’t care. I need some cigarettes for work tomorrow, and Witmans closes at 8. Here’s the money. Now get going,”
“But Mom…”
“Now go!”
Reluctantly, I got up off the floor, and despite my aversion to the cigarettes my parents smoked, I was off to the local drug store to purchase the needed item.
When the disciples are sent to retrieve an animal for Jesus, I wonder if they questioned what this mission was about. After all, Jesus doesn’t give them a reason, just a command to “go”. Perhaps, because they knew and loved Jesus, that was enough.
“Go” is Jesus’ most powerful command. “Go into all the world and proclaim the Gospel”. “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations…” Go into the village ahead of you.” Go. Go.
Why? Because the Lord needs it. Because the Lord needs You. Now go!
Prayer: Lord Jesus, Your command to us is to go. Sometimes, I hesitate because I’m unsure where and for what reason I’m going. Please forgive me. Instead, inspire my trust in You such, when You command me to go; I go. Amen.