Deuteronomy 32:36-39; Philippians 2:5-11; Luke 19:28-40

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

The Lord has need of it. There was no questioning from the owner beyond this, or any inquiry about compensation. The disciples simply walked up, loosed the rope and left, with these few words. This has always been the strangest part of the story for me. It doesn’t seem likely that someone would loan out their colt with such little explanation. After all, donkeys were beasts of burden. They were used regularly for tilling fields and hauling freight. They were far too valuable an animal to give away so easily.

We have limited supplies after all. We must always think about our needs first, right? We can’t give away food if that means we have none left. Nor can we hand out every penny we earn without withholding a portion for our needs. Indeed, our needs are important too. So why should someone else’s need trump mine? It just doesn’t make sense. 

Needs, though, as opposed to wants are difficult to decipher sometimes. We need food and water to survive, but without shelter, we wouldn’t fair well either. We need a job, but not just any job will do. So, where is the line drawn then between needs and wants? Can we make that difference? I think we find, our needs are so often tainted by our sinful wants. We never are willing to settle for the simple needs, but rather hide all our sin in the disguise of human need. Yes, sin has made us “needy” people. 

Think again though about who claims “need” over this colt. It’s not just any needy person. It’s “the Lord.” He’s the one who created the world in seven days, who formed life out of nothing. Why does he need an animal so lowly? 

The Lord has need of it. That was the end of the discussion… because that was enough. With so few words, Jesus communicated through his disciples the coming of the messiah. For it was long foretold that the true King of Israel would ride not on a stallion for battle, but on a donkey, a colt, a beast of burden. The Lord needed his donkey. He needed the ride… because he would carry an even heavier load. As Jesus rode into Jerusalem on that day, he rode that he may carry every sinful desire to the cross. Indeed, Jesus was the true “beast” of burden. For he allowed himself to become burdened with all of our sins. But he would unload them. He would remove them, by his death. For they would be carried with him to the grave where they would remain forever. The Lord had need of that colt because he had need for you! By Jesus’ death on the cross, he frees us from our load that we may sing his praise now and forevermore!

Pastor Sorenson

Prayer:

Almighty and everlasting God, You sent Your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, to take upon Himself our flesh and to suffer death upon the cross. Mercifully grant that we may follow the example of His great humility and patience and be made partakers of His resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen!