Approaching Jerusalem

Approaching Jerusalem

Matthew 21:1-3, NIV

As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”

Luke 19:29-34, NIV

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. 31If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it.’” 32Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. 33As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?” 34They replied, “The Lord needs it.”

Setting the Scene

Luke’s account of the Triumphal Entry begins with the final reference to Jesus’ impending arrival in Jerusalem, which has been mentioned several times since Luke 9:51 (see also 13:22; 17:11; 18:31; 19:28). Jesus had this trip to Jerusalem on his mind for a long time before he arrived. All four Gospels mention the fact that Jesus rode the last leg of his journey into Jerusalem on the colt of a donkey. For John, the mode of transportation Jesus used is fairly secondary to the response of the people to his presence. But the other three biographers give details that help us see the significance of Jesus’ actions. He was not riding the last few miles because he was tired; he was riding a colt because that was the most appropriate way someone with his credentials and purpose should arrive in David’s city.

Traveling the road from Jericho meant Jesus approached Jerusalem from the east. The mountainous terrain makes it impossible to see the city until only a valley separates the traveler on the ridge of the Mount of Olives from the magnificent city. Jesus’ route took him by or through Bethphage and Bethany, which were part of a ring of villages around the capital, which also featured Bethlehem on the south.

The instructions Jesus gave to the two disciples were explicit, so it strikes readers as somewhat odd that Mark and Luke only mention one donkey, but Matthew describes two—a female donkey and her colt. The reason for Matthew’s inclusion of both animals can be seen in his immediate mention of Zechariah’s prophecy announcing the arrival of the Messiah. True to form, Matthew addressed his Jewish audience, who would take significance from the Son of David deliberately entering the ancient capital of the kingdom, but unexpectedly “gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey” (Matthew 21:5; Zechariah 9:9, NIV).

The signal given to the owner of the colt (“the Lord needs it”) requires us to ask ourselves how available for the Lord’s use is everything we own. Jesus exercised a right of usage that had been in some way established previously. When we acknowledge Jesus as Lord, we are also acknowledging his rightful claim over our lives, our possessions, our plans, and our future. We were never more than stewards, but believing in Jesus makes that role of mere stewards all the more immediate. Discipleship means we learn to release unhesitatingly anything God claims. If “the Lord needs it,” it’s his to use. Like the colt owners, we may experience a temporary loss of usage or access (a lost job, separation of friends, a possession needed by someone else), or it may mean permanent loss (to rust, thieves, destruction, death), but we are ultimately experiencing God’s choice to deprive us of something that was never ours to begin with. It may be easy to say to God, “All that I am and have is yours, Lord,” but we may well feel intense loss when God takes us at our word and removes something from us with only a hint, “The Lord needs it.”

Getting Personal

When have you been deprived of something and you now realize the Lord had a higher purpose?

What would be difficult for you to give to him today?

Hundreds of people participated in Jesus’ ministry in one way or another. Many we can only guess about—like the owners of this particular donkey. Part of eternity will include filling in the details. In the meantime, these unsung participants remind us that our participation in God’s work may not be recognized in this life, but God will take note.

Talking to God

Since everything you have really came from God and belongs to him, ask God to help you hold these possessions loosely, so that you are ready to relinquish them if he asks it. Though it may be difficult, stretch to increase your availability to God.