Preparing the Stage. Mark 11:1-6.
Now when they drew near to Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples And said to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately as you enter it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it. “If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, “The Lord has need of it and will send it back here immediately.’”And they went away and found a colt tied at a door in the street, and they untied it. And some of those standing there said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?”And they told them what Jesus had said, and they let them go.
Dear Heirs with Christ of the Kingdom of God,
For three and a half years, Jesus has been demonstrating through his miracles and teaching that he is the Messiah. Until now, however, he has refrained from overt statements about his identity. This is about to change.
Advance Plan (v. 1-2). Scholars have opined that Jesus had secretly talked to one of his friends to make arrangements for a colt. While that is a possibility, the likelihood of it is small, considering that Jesus was pressed by crowds all the way from Jericho. In addition, there should be no difficulty in acknowledging that Jesus knew supernaturally who had a colt, and where it was. He sent two of his disciples to get it.
Anticipatory Preparations (v. 3). If two strangers take a colt from someone’s home, it will be considered theft. If they do it in broad daylight, they will be confronted. Jesus tells them to say that “the Lord has need of it.” This is the first time in the gospel of Mark that Jesus refers to himself as Lord. He is openly proclaiming his identity as the divine Messiah.
Acknowledged Position (v. 4-6). When the disciples do as instructed and answer the challengers with the words Jesus gave them, no one contests what they say. They are allowed to take the colt away. God is able to make people, even strangers, respond to his servants exactly as planned. This is a lesson to the disciples. They are dealing with the Lord of creation. When he sends his servants on a mission, he ensures that it will be accomplished. Is there a mission you have been reluctant to take on because the opposition seems too great? If it is God’s mission, he will make it happen. It cannot fail. But you have to take the initiative and go.
Your Loving Pastor Chris.