“Go to the village across from you. As soon as you enter, you’ll find a colt tethered, one that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it. If anyone says anything, ask, ‘What are you doing?’ say, ‘His Master needs him.”
Luke 19: 31, MSG
As I pen these words, we’re days away from Palm Sunday, which commemorates Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. The walls of the Holy City reverberated with shouts of hosanna. “Save us! Save us,” they scream. I can almost feel the low rumble stemming from the scurrying of feet as masses of humanity press into the narrow corridors to behold their King mounted atop a mighty…wait a minute…beast of burden?!
Yeah, you’re seeing it correctly. It isn’t a warhorse with a chariot in tow; it’s not a stallion; it’s no joke: a colt carries this King. Rome was used to this kind of scene, but it was accustomed to seeing a conquering general stride victoriously into the city, leading a procession of prisoners and spoils of war, which were now counted as property of the new ruling principality.
What they’re beholding in Jesus, however, is a stark contrast to convention. This so-called Messiah isn’t leading a procession of people he captured; rather they comprise a band of rag-tag misfits he’s set free…and they’re now following him—not out of duty, but devotion. Freshly-cut leafy branches litter the street along with the cloaks of bystanders who’ve thrown them on the ground before Jesus—a ritual reserved in deference to royalty.
But take a look at the cloak all by itself, further on up the path. It belonged to Bartimaeus, who used to be blind and used to rely on the cloak to collect coins. He doesn’t need it anymore. He set it aside when the Lord called him and now he can be seen in the collection following Jesus. There’s a shattered alabaster jar. It’s empty, but follow the fragrance and you’ll find a forlorn woman, full of joy, following in the footsteps of the Jesus she anointed. What she offered was costly, but what Jesus was preparing to give strains credulity. Mind the watering jug left by the Samaritan woman. She’s not thirsty anymore. Don’t let your feet get tangled in the fishing nets, which once belonged to some run-of-the-mill anglers.
Oh, and the tether. Don’t overlook the tether that used to keep the colt. It’s been untied. The colt’s Master (the Lord of all creation) needed him. Who would’ve ever thought that the Lord would use that humble donkey as a vehicle that, to this day, would advance the good news into another city, state, nation and around the world? Behold Exhibit B: A path polluted with items that used to belong to someone. Now they’re just billboards that point to the One responsible for the parade of people telling redemption’s story. Coatless people and a colt-less owner: call it “Exhibit C” of some who took what they had, offered it up and laid it down without hesitation for no other reason than it belonged to the Lord in the first place. They were just stewards…and so are we.
The Lord is still looking for vehicles and the world is still searching for evidence of transformation. “Well, pastor, you spoke of Exhibit C and I read of Exhibit B. What constitutes Exhibit A?” Here’s looking at us. May it be said that someone, someday walks the halls of heaven rejoicing over the remnants that delivered the Good News to their doorsteps and they point to whatever it is that you left behind. We’ve resumed in-person worship! Join us for Holy Week services: April 1st features Maundy Thursday communion and then Good Friday on Apr. 2nd. Both 7pm services will be set apart and powerful! Don’t miss them! Also, with great anticipation we look forward to worshipping with you on Easter Sunday at either 8:30am or 11am in the main sanctuary! Thank you in advance for your generosity and faithfulness to the Gospel and the ministries of CUMC that carry it.
In Christian Love,
Pastor Jake Steele