What if I had owned the colt?

During Palm Sunday service today, I heard the wonderful story of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Same as last year – and the year before that. But something was different this time - it was the scripture that really spoke to me. A particular phrase was given twice - “The Lord hath need of him.”

Luke 19:28-35 gives the story of a forgotten person in all this – the owner of the donkey colt. Although not called by name, nor described in any manner in the texts we have been given, this person’s faith and attitude are key to how this story unfolds.

It is likely that the owner was not a rich man. Donkeys are not what rich people owned. Rich people have horses and chariots and “fancy” stuff. Donkeys are workers, and likely this donkey was being raised for just that – to help the owner’s family conduct whatever business they were in. It was probably extremely valuable to that person and his family.

All of a sudden, strangers come into town, walk over to this colt, and start untying it from it’s post or stable or barn. I’d imagine the owner was just a little bit concerned about these people who, with no explanation, are taking the colt away. When confronted, their only explanation was “The Lord hath need of him.”

I’ve always believed that the stories in the Bible are accurate. That leads me to the conclusion that there was no further discussion, no debate, no more questions posed to these men. The colt was given willingly out of love. There was no promise of payment, nor of whether the owner would even get it back. It was just given away.

Which brings me back to the question – What if I had owned the colt? Would the story be any different? I’d like to think that I would be willing to do what the person in this story had done, but it really made me think about it. What would I be willing to give up if someone simply said to me “The Lord hath need of it?”

Filling the barrels

Our pastor today gave a very good sermon based on Jesus' first miracle. That, of course, is changing water into wine at a wedding celebration in Cana.

The point of the sermon was that we need to focus on where the action really is, as well as WHO takes the action. So many times, we feel defeated when WE can't make something happen ~ in the church, in our family, our work, our lives. We have a responsibility to do what God asks us to do, but then leave it to God to make the difference.

The barrels were empty. All Jesus asked the servants to do was fill them up with water and take them to the steward. When they did what Jesus asked, the miracle was fulfilled. He didn't ask for anything difficult, or something beyond their ability. Just obedience. If they had not filled the barrels, or hadn't taken them to the steward, things likely wouldn't have turned out the same.

We are like the empty barrels. All we need to do is be filled and presented as "ready," and let God make something of us. Nothing fancy; nothing difficult. Just be available.

I guess I can do that...