“As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?” They said, “The Lord needs it.” Then they brought it to Jesus.” Luke 19:33-35a
Today we remember an event that was recorded in all the Gospels (Mathew, Mark, Luke and John); Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem. “And a very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” (Matthew 21:9-10). Prophet Zechariah had prophesied this event some 500 years earlier. In Zechariah 9:9 he wrote “Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Jerusalem! See your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey”.
Jesus who hitherto did not publicly proclaim Himself as the messiah came to Jerusalem to present Himself formally to the leaders of Israel as the nation’s Messiah. In John 10:24 He did not declare himself publicly as the messiah when the Jews had gathered around Him and asked “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” Also when Simon Peter declared that He was the Messiah, Son of the living God, Jesus sternly warned the disciples not to tell anyone that He was the Messiah (Matthew 16:13-20). But here He presents Himself publicly as King and the Messiah teaching a lesson in waiting for God’s timing in all that we do. We can open the doors of our heart for Him to ride and rule as King. Now that He is coming in peace, riding in a colt in humility, extending abundant grace rather than judgment, is the time to let Him in that we may receive His salvation. But when He comes again He will be coming in majesty, in righteousness to judge, reward and punish (Revelation 22:12).
The Pharisees felt the crowd was too noisy and wanted Jesus to command them to be quiet but Jesus did not succumb to their request and recognized the right of the people in saying what they believe must be said. What is your attitude to the Gospel, especially in spreading it to others? Are you the type that does not want to be associated with Christ or consider praising God as noise making? In Matthew 10: 32-33 Jesus said that “Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven; but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven.”
Let us join the rest of the Christian world today to shout Hosanna to our King, Jesus Christ, who came to the world from Heaven to save us from our sins and re-establish our relationship with our Creator. While shouting Hosanna, let us focus on the owners of the colt that Jesus rode on. Jesus had sent the disciples to take the colt and has instructed that if anyone should say anything to them their response should be “The Lord need its”. And to this the owners released the colt for this historic ride.
Beloved what does the Lord need from you and what has been your response? In this materialistic age, when we have turned possessions to idols that we worship, are we willing to give because “the Lord needs it”? The owners of the colt never resisted but let go to satisfy our Lord’s needs. Jesus needs our time; He needs our resources (Luke 6:38) that His Gospel may be spread to all corners of the world. He wants us to go into the world and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19). He wants us to love one another as He has loved us (John15:12); to love our enemies (Luke 6:35). He has given an example that He wants us all to follow.
Have a triumphant week as you defer to the King of kings.
Your brother, Vicar & Archdeacon
Igein Isemede