28 After Jesus said this, he went on toward Jerusalem. 29 As Jesus came near Bethphage and Bethany, towns near the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent out two of his followers. 30 He said, “Go to the town you can see there. When you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here to me. 31 If anyone asks you why you are untying it, say that the Master needs it.”
32 The two followers went into town and found the colt just as Jesus had told them. 33 As they were untying it, its owners came out and asked the followers, “Why are you untying our colt?”
34 The followers answered, “The Master needs it.” 35 So they brought it to Jesus, threw their coats on the colt’s back, and put Jesus on it.
Read Luke 19:28-35 in context and/or in other translations on BibleGateway.com!
When reading about the disciples preparation for Jesus’ trip into Jerusalem on a donkey’s colt, a phrase jumped off the page at me. While it is a very simple phrase, it has truly limitless applications for our lives.
This phrase is found in Luke’s version of this event, and it is how the disciples answer the servants when they ask them what they are doing with the colt they are untying. According to Luke, the disciples simply say, “The Master needs it.” (v. 34)
While simple, this phrase is incredibly powerful. In essence, these disciples are drawing those present onto the idea that God can use what we have for His purposes. It also points us to the ultimate truth that nothing that we call “ours” is truly ours. Everything belongs to God – including the air we are breathing, and the elements and compounds that make up our bodies.
By saying “the Master needs it”, we see everyone present coming to the understanding that God has something in mind with this specific colt, and it shows us a glimpse of the character of these servants and/or the master of the colt on earth.
Nothing that we own is truly ours. God may call on us to use what we have to help someone else, or to further His message/mission in some other way. It is not up to us to know what God’s plans are, but to simply be ready, willing, and generous when He offers us the chance to be included – whether it is through our actions or through our donations to His cause!
This thought was inspired by studying the Walking With Jesus “Reflective Bible Study” package. To discover insights like this in your own study time, click here and give Reflective Bible Study a try today!
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