When they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples 2and said to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden; untie it and bring it. 3If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.’” 4They went away and found a colt tied near a door, outside in the street. As they were untying it, 5some of the bystanders said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” 6They told them what Jesus had said; and they allowed them to take it. 7Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it; and he sat on it. 8Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. 9Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! 10Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” 11Then he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple; and when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve. (Mark 11:1-11, NRSV)
These passages are great because every year it reminds me that there is only every one thing in all of scripture that Jesus says that he needs. And it is a donkey. And it isn’t even his. In a way, it is stolen. The disciples do not ask if they can untie it, and Jesus only tells if someone tries to stop you then tell them I need it. But all Jesus ever needs is a donkey.
Which always reminds me to think about what it is that I need.
What do we want versus what we need? Most of us reading this have way more than we need.
But I bet if we were honest we would all say that there is a lot we need. But is that want?
What do you really need?
