What Jesus Did : Luke 19:28-35 - The Lord Needs It!
by Phil Ware
The Lord Needs It! - Luke 19:28-35
After Jesus said these things, he continued traveling toward Jerusalem. Jesus came near Bethphage and Bethany, towns near the hill called the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent out two of his followers. He said, "Go into the town you can see there. When you enter the town, you will find a young donkey tied there. No person has ever ridden this donkey. Untie the donkey, and bring it here to me. If any person asks you why you are taking the donkey, you should say, 'The Master needs this donkey.'" The two followers went into town. They found the donkey exactly like Jesus told them. The followers untied the donkey. But the owners of the donkey came out. They said to the followers, "Why are you untying our donkey?" The followers answered, "The Master needs it." So the followers brought the donkey to Jesus. The followers put their coats on the donkey's back. Then they put Jesus on the donkey. (ERV) Full TextKey Thought
What an attitude! If the Lord needs it, I'll offer it. If the Lord wants it, I'll do it. No questions asked. No explanation needed. No hesitation found. We've seen a rich young man turn back from following because the Lord asked him something he wouldn't do. This is not the case here. "The Lord needs it!" Such a simple explanation was met with an equally simple response—no words, just compliance. Little did the owners know that their act of submission and obedience to Jesus' need would bring about such a glorious event—the Triumphal Entry that is described in the following verses. So the question each of us needs to ask today is this: "What does the Lord need from me?" May our responses be the same as the unnamed owners of the donkey.
Today's Prayer
God of glory and grace, my heavenly Father, please work on my heart. Do what is necessary to keep it soft and responsive to your will. May I always be open to whatever your Son needs of me. May I respond without hesitation. Most of all, may you be glorified and your Kingdom be served in my willingness to obey. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Today's Verses in Context
After Jesus said these things, he continued traveling toward Jerusalem. Jesus came near Bethphage and Bethany, towns near the hill called the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent out two of his followers. He said, "Go into the town you can see there. When you enter the town, you will find a young donkey tied there. No person has ever ridden this donkey. Untie the donkey, and bring it here to me. If any person asks you why you are taking the donkey, you should say, 'The Master needs this donkey.'" The two followers went into town. They found the donkey exactly like Jesus told them. The followers untied the donkey. But the owners of the donkey came out. They said to the followers, "Why are you untying our donkey?" The followers answered, "The Master needs it." So the followers brought the donkey to Jesus. The followers put their coats on the donkey's back. Then they put Jesus on the donkey. Jesus rode along the road toward Jerusalem. The followers spread their coats on the road before Jesus. Jesus was coming close to Jerusalem. He was already near the bottom of the Mount of Olives. The whole group of followers were happy. They were very excited and praised God. They thanked God for all the powerful things they had seen. They said, "'Welcome! God bless the king that comes in the name of the Lord.' Peace in heaven and glory to God!" Some of the Pharisees said to Jesus, "Teacher, tell your followers not to say these things!" But Jesus answered, "I tell you, these things must be said. If my followers don't say these things, then these rocks will say them."-- Luke 19:28-40 (ERV)
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