Wednesday, March 30, 2011

"The Lord Needs It"

As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, "Why are you untying that colt?"  They replied, "The Lord needs it" (Luke 19:33-34, NET).

            For me the most phenomenal part of the Palm Sunday story of Jesus’ royal entry into Jerusalem is not the procession itself, nor the crowds’ “Hosanna” shout; not the throngs casting their robes at His feet, nor the palm-waving benedictions.  All that is splendid, to be sure, but I am most amazed and humbled by this little bit about the donkey.
            Imagine with me, if you will, walking out of your house early on Monday morning.  It’s not yet time to leave for work, but you thought you heard something unusual, so you go out to take a look.  Lo and behold, you see two men in your driveway hot-wiring your new pick-up truck, the one you bought to haul the equipment and supplies for your lawncare business!
            “Hey!  What do you think you’re doing??!!  Why are you taking my truck?” you demand.
            With calmness surprising for thugs, they reply, “The Master needs it.”
            The Master needs it?  Oh well, in THAT case. . .  “NO need to go to all that trouble.  Hold on a minute, and I’ll bring you the keys and my gas card.”
            Astonishing, isn’t it? But that’s comparable to what took place at the edge of Jerusalem that day.  Which is the greater miracle, that an unbroken donkey submitted to its Creator to be ridden through a noisy crowd, or that these owners – like all of us, not without their own donkeylike tendencies – consented immediately and without further ado?  “The Lord needs it,” was the only explanation they required.
            What about me, about you?  Do we have this simple trust?  Often in my past the Lord has revealed something or someone I was clutching to myself, afraid to let go even after I had sensed His hand taking it away.   May the Lord search our hearts – yours and mine:  is there some area of life right at this moment where we have heard His, “The Lord needs this,” but have not yielded?  Has He given us a cue to entrust this dear person, position, dream, treasure, ideal, or maybe even my own health to Him for now, but with no further explanation?  Am I futilely resisting His touch on some tender spot in my life, fearful of the consequence of yielding all to Him who gave it?
            If so, let us find both encouragement and challenge in the example of this colt’s owners.  The safest, best place for our beloved is in the Lord’s possession.  We are not told whether the colt was ever returned to the owners, but even if not, its giving constituted their role in the purposes of God and fulfillment of prophecy.  God had a greater plan for this precious animal than simply their beast of burden; might it not be so with whatever I am grasping so tightly?
            Indeed, we have His firm assurance in many places and no uncertain terms that His plans for us and ours far exceed even our wildest imaginings; that His purposes are better than anything that has ever entered our heads and hearts; that He plans to give us a future and a hope, free of pain and full of glory someday.
            May we believe Him and prove the truth of these promises for ourselves by yielding quickly wherever we may hear, “The Lord needs this.”


To read more contributions to the roundtable Ann Voskamp hosts on The Spiritual Practice of Easter, click below:

12 comments:

  1. @Brandee Shafer Thank you, Brandee. Grace and peace to you in Jesus!

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  2. Hello, tinuviel (there's an ID that made me smile instantly!)

    Thank you so much for your encouragement; it was a wonderful spot of sunshine in my day.

    I really loved the post above as well... it's left me with a lot to mull over. (And I really enjoyed the line, "With calmness surprising for thugs..."!) :)

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  3. @Amy You're welcome! I'm glad my username makes you smile. Yours does the same for me.

    Glad you liked the post and noticed my tongue in my cheek on that line. :)

    Grace and peace to you, sister!

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  4. Love this! I've often pondered that scene, too, both from the donkey owner's and the disciples' perspectives. Neither would be a particularly comfortable position, and yet there's no indication anyone argued with God's simple instruction. It's humbling to give and it's humbling to take, but oh to live in unfettered obedience, attuned to His whispers and alive to the joyful adventure of walking in His mysterious ways!

    I'm so glad you commented on my blog, otherwise I might not have clicked over and discovered yet another beautiful voice singing His song. Delighted to meet you and look forward to reading more of your thoughts.

    Love, Jeanne

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  5. @Jeanne Damoff Thank you for stopping by and for contributing to the discussion with your comment and kind words.

    "Alive to the joyful adventure of walking in His mysterious ways"-- hmm, I'm not so good at that whole adventure thing. Definitely an area in need of transformation and growth!

    The Lord be with you, Jeanne.

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  6. I like how you put this story in modern terms. What beautiful faith was shown by their obedience to the simple words, "The Lord needs it." May we learn to do the same.

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  7. @Patti Hanan Amen, Patti. Thanks for stopping by. The Lord be with you.

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  8. It's fun to read this story with your modern twist!

    Thanks so much for linking up with us over at (in)courage! It's wonderful having you join us!

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  9. @Deidra Thanks for stopping by, Deidra. The (in)courage community is a blessing; I'm glad to take part. The Lord be with you!

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  10. You make me thing of just “letting go” in general with this. Your words, “The safest, best place for our beloved is in the Lord’s possession.” – I think of plans and situations – and even people. The question, “Do I trust Our Lord enough?” I really enjoyed reading this. Thank you.

    God Bless and keep you and your family

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  11. @Craig Yes, Craig, we need to entrust all of it to the Lord. Thanks as always for your thoughtful feedback.

    God bless and keep you and your family, as well!

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Thank you for sharing your day with me! Your presence here is a gift. *You* are a gift. Right now I am unable to reply to every comment, but please know I read and pray for each and every commenter. Grace and peace to you in Christ.