The Lord Needs It
Read Luke 19:28-48.
Some have described the four Gospels as a passion narrative with a long introduction. In other words, the focus, in all four Gospels, is primarily on Jesus' last week—especially his death and resurrection. That's the story these writers really want to tell. And so, in all four Gospels, including Luke, when we get to the last week of Jesus' life, the pace slows down. There is more focus on this single week than on any other, and rightly so. It is the heart of the story and the heart of our faith.
I've walked down the traditional route of the Palm Sunday parade five different times (come with me and do that in 2021—shameless plug!), and every time I wonder how in the world Jesus rode a donkey down this steep slope. I have enough trouble walking it; I can't imagine being on the back of a donkey and not sliding off!
But it's the response of the donkey owner that intrigues me today. Just as Jesus told them would happen, when the disciples go to secure the needed conveyance, the owner asks, "Why are you untying it?" And the disciples, as they were told to do, reply, "The Lord needs it." That's all they have to say. There is, apparently, no further question. The donkey is Jesus' to use, for as long as he needs it.
You can sort of trace this same theme through the rest of the passage (though not as explicitly). The Pharisees (them again!) complain that people are offering praise to Jesus, and the reply could just as easily be, "The Lord needs it." With what Jesus is about to face in the coming days, these moments of affirmation and, yes, worship must have been healing for his soul. (Remember, though he is fully divine, he is also fully human.)
Even when he enters the Temple, and people (mainly merchants) begin complaining that he is tossing out all the distractions in the Court of the Gentiles, the response could easily be, "The Lord needs it." After all, Malachi (Old Testament prophet) had said, "Suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple" (Malachi 3:1). Well, here he is! He's come to reclaim his Temple.
The question I wonder about today is what I have that I have held back, not realizing "The Lord needs it." Will I willingly give it when he asks? Will I turn it over to his use, no further questions asked? "The Lord needs it."
If you can use me, Lord, give me a heart to recognize when you're asking, when you're near, when you're about to do something with what I have to give.
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| Traditional Palm Sunday route, 2017 |
I've walked down the traditional route of the Palm Sunday parade five different times (come with me and do that in 2021—shameless plug!), and every time I wonder how in the world Jesus rode a donkey down this steep slope. I have enough trouble walking it; I can't imagine being on the back of a donkey and not sliding off!
But it's the response of the donkey owner that intrigues me today. Just as Jesus told them would happen, when the disciples go to secure the needed conveyance, the owner asks, "Why are you untying it?" And the disciples, as they were told to do, reply, "The Lord needs it." That's all they have to say. There is, apparently, no further question. The donkey is Jesus' to use, for as long as he needs it.
You can sort of trace this same theme through the rest of the passage (though not as explicitly). The Pharisees (them again!) complain that people are offering praise to Jesus, and the reply could just as easily be, "The Lord needs it." With what Jesus is about to face in the coming days, these moments of affirmation and, yes, worship must have been healing for his soul. (Remember, though he is fully divine, he is also fully human.)
Even when he enters the Temple, and people (mainly merchants) begin complaining that he is tossing out all the distractions in the Court of the Gentiles, the response could easily be, "The Lord needs it." After all, Malachi (Old Testament prophet) had said, "Suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple" (Malachi 3:1). Well, here he is! He's come to reclaim his Temple.
The question I wonder about today is what I have that I have held back, not realizing "The Lord needs it." Will I willingly give it when he asks? Will I turn it over to his use, no further questions asked? "The Lord needs it."
If you can use me, Lord, give me a heart to recognize when you're asking, when you're near, when you're about to do something with what I have to give.
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