What Jesus Did! 'Permitted' — Mark 11:4-6

Thursday, August 8, 2024

The two disciples left and found the colt standing in the street, tied outside the front door [as Jesus had said they would]. As they were untying it, some bystanders demanded, "What are you doing, untying that colt?" They said what Jesus had told them to say, and they were permitted to take it.
— Mark 11:4-6 NLT

Key Thought

"The Lord needs it and will return it soon." That's what Jesus' followers told the bystanders when untying the colt. They were permitted to take it when they relayed this message. [1] What about us? What in our lives does the Lord need to use? Is it our talent, treasure, or time? Is it our family, friends, or future? What in our lives — and yes, I will ask these questions of myself as well — is hardest for us to relinquish to the Lordship of Jesus? Is it some secret place in our hearts where we have let sin take root? Is it some cherished goal? Is it some lazy habit ... personal possession ... cherished accomplishment? Like Jesus' message by way of the disciples concerning the colt, his message to us is the same: "The Lord needs it..." So will we release our grip and let him have these things? The transformational power of Jesus' sacrifice is often blocked in our lives because we will not let him march into our hearts as we cry "Praise God!", [2] and we will not permit him to have what we grasp. If he can let go of heaven for us, then why would we cling to our temporal things, attitudes, and actions and thereby block his path to the throne of our hearts?

[1] See Mark 11:3.
[2] Mark 11:9-10.

Today's Prayer

O God, the loving Almighty, I ask for help in opening every area of my heart, every avenue in my life, to your Son. Help me permit him to be Lord of all of me. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • 2 Corinthians 5:21
  • 2 Corinthians 8:9
  • Philippians 2:5-11

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Illustration

Illustration of Mark 11:4-6 NLT — "What are you doing, untying that colt?"

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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