Mary’s Lent Diary (Palm Sunday)
Well, now Jesus has definitely decided to head back to Jerusalem. I give up! He knows it is dangerous but he is going anyway. Actually, maybe I am wrong – what happened today did not seem dangerous at all, everyone really cheered for Jesus. I’ll explain what happened…
Jesus and his disciples were on their way to Jerusalem, when Jesus sent two of them on to the next village. He told them that they would see a colt, tied to a doorpost. They were to untie it and bring it to Jesus. They were a bit unsure about just taking it (understandably!), so Jesus reassured them. Well, sort of anyway. He told them to just tell the owners that ‘the Lord needs it.’ I’m not sure if that made the disciples feel any better, but they did it anyway. And when they told the owner and people who were there that they were taking the colt because Jesus needed it, they were allowed to go, no problem. So they went back to Jesus, with the colt in tow. Then all the disciples put their coats on the colt and Jesus sat on it. The colt was good as gold – it has never been ridden before but, when Jesus got on, it just stood there calmly. By this time, there was a bit of a crowd (no surprise with Jesus around!) and the crowd all started taking their coats off, too! They put them on the ground for the colt to walk on and the entire crowd all moved off towards Jerusalem, with Jesus in the middle. The crowd were cheering and shouting and dancing, praising Jesus. It was wonderful – I have got so used to people being negative that it is so nice to see people actually appreciating Jesus for a change.
Donkey looking out of a gap in a stable door
Jesus knew exactly where the disciples would find the colt.
He knew what He was asking them to untie.
He knew it better than they did.
Is Jesus asking you to untie anything, and bring it to Him?
The disciples’ reason for untying the colt was ‘the Lord needs it’.
No more, no less.
Why did Jesus need it?
He needed it to fulfil prophecy.
Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
Zechariah 9:9
The colt was tethered to the owner’s house,
untied, and brought to Jesus.
What the disciples untied and brought to Him,
Jesus rode on.
Jesus took control of.
Jesus stayed with.
When we untie things, and bring them to Him,
we can know freedom.
Are you experiencing some turmoil?
Might He be encouraging you to say, ‘The Lord needs that’?
He needs it so that you’re not carrying it alone.
The disciples put their coats on the colt.
A part of them was with it.
And Jesus got on, too.
When we untie things, perhaps especially difficult things,
and bring them to Him, they may not disappear.
But Jesus will be with us in them.
Praise be to the Lord, to God our Saviour, who daily bears our burdens.
Psalm 68:19
Jesus needed the colt that the people might see and praise.
Rejoice! See your king is coming! He’s here!
Because the colt was untied, the people saw Jesus coming.
That’s the result of Jesus needing it.
When He invites us to untie our burdens to Him,
He invites us to see Him.
And He invites us to rejoice.
Jesus is coming!
Will you accept His invitation to rejoice?
For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty saviour. He will take delight in you with gladness……
Zephaniah 3:17
He invites you to know that He rejoices in you.
Will you accept His invitation to be rejoiced over?
……..With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.
Zephaniah 3:17
The colt was calm, even though it had never been ridden before.
It was calm because Jesus was there.
Are you?
“Hush, be still.”
Mark 4:39b (NASB)
The crowd were glad to see Jesus.
They celebrated Him.
Some of them may well have been people who had, not so long ago, wanted Him killed.
Now they were full of joy.
As they surrounded Jesus,
dancing and praising,
He was at the centre of their joy.
You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Psalm 16:11
How will His joy bubble up inside you today?
Jesus is coming…..
Lord Jesus,
If there is anything I need to untie,
and bring to You,
sharing the load,
knowing Your peace,
finding Your joy,
please show me how to do it.
Amen
Mary’s Memo Jesus rejoices over me
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