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Without Question
The first thing that struck me when I read Luke 19:32-36, where Jesus prepares to enter Jerusalem, was that the apostles obeyed Jesus without question. In their first act of obedience, they followed Jesus’ instructions and went into the village, where they found the colt “just as he had told them.” Jesus was amazingly accurate – I guess that wouldn’t be surprising if you had spent the last few months traveling with Jesus, but it’s striking to me. Jesus had not entered the village yet, but he knew there would be a colt tied up and waiting for them. They did not ask how he knew or why he needed it, they obeyed.
Jesus also knew they would be questioned, so he gave them instructions. Their second act of obedience was to answer the owner exactly as the Lord instructed – without apologies, omissions, or additions. When asked, “Why are you untying the colt?”, they replied, “The Lord needs it.” I am so impressed by that! Too often, I prepare myself for questions about Jesus or my faith in Him by coming up with apologies and detailed statements, or leaving out things that may be “offensive.” I talk too much and get nervous. Jesus told them what to say and they said it. Obedience. The cool thing is, again, there are no recorded protests. They simply obeyed and took the colt back to Jesus, probably thinking, “That was easy!”.
Finally, these last two verses are about the apostles covering the donkey and the people covering the road with their cloaks. As Jesus comes to Jerusalem – to die for us, to cover our sin with His blood – his followers foreshadow that by covering the dirty places, the donkey and the road. They want to protect Him from getting dirty. I love the irony that highlights Jesus’ amazing love for each of us – a man that people wanted to keep clean, to protect, would take on all the world’s dirt…and save us from our dirt, disobedience, and even apologies.
Paige thanks for the word this morning. I thought of the old Nike phrase.”Just Do It” Obedience is hard when we should just do it. God is very clear on many things that we should do, love the Lord your God with all your heart soul and mind and love oneanother for starters. Those two things will take a lifetime to simply obey.
Paige, I am much like you in my explanations about my faith. I feel I have to prepare the perfect answers to questions, leaving out potentially offensive or ‘over the top’ details. God says there is no need for that – state the facts; just the facts, ma’am.
I guess God’s trying to get His point across. Whenever He shows me things in a different light and through different people I know He has a point He has to get across to me. In BSF we have been studying Moses. Last night we were discussing Balaam. Many times in his talks with Balak he omitted things. In his first conversation he failed to tell his messengers that he couldn’t go because the Lord wouldn’t let him. With the second set of messengers he omitted telling them why he couldn’t go but that he would let them know in the morning. Like so many of us we try to tell people what they want to hear or what makes us look good. What God wants is for us to tell the truth, His truth, not what the world wants to hear but what they need to hear. Like you Paige I try sugar coating it or try to reason what I should say or not say anything because I don’t want to offend anyone. With Balaam, he went right to the source and God told him what to say. Shouldn’t I do that. As a believer I have the Holy Spirit in me. God has promised me that He will give me the words. He is trustworthy.
Paige. thanks.
the dirty part… dirty donkey, dirty road, dirty people, dirty sins…. reminded me of MESSY SPIRITUALITY!
why would we think our churches or lives would be any different?
Thank you for the insight Paige.
I like the hidden equation
Time with Jesus x time spent in obedience = ease of obeying Jesus
Paige,
Thanks for the reminder of such a simple yet essential truth! Brooklyn has been learning some hard lessons this week about first time obedience. As I sit there with her, trying to reason with her three year old mind, I can’t help but realize that this is not just a lesson for her, but for me as well. I am frequently guilty of waiting to make sure all my basis are covered before I obey. Lord, are you sure this is what you want me to do? Really? But just as Brooklyn is learning that first time obedience is much more enjoyable than endless minutes in time out, I too am learning that obedience is not as difficult as I make it out to be. Like Penny says, Just Do IT!
Messy Spirituality…Mike Yaconelli…I still miss him! He taught me so much!
Awesome! I’m a day late, normal pace down here in Slow-vannah (Savannah), but this message is good for everyday. Your insight blesses me!
PS Hope to see you Easter Sunday!
PPS Great Photo. Never realized you are so much shorter than Jay.