After Jesus said this, he continued on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. As Jesus came to Bethphage and Bethany on the Mount of Olives, he gave two disciples a task. He said, “Go into the village over there. When you enter it, you will find tied up there a colt that no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks, ‘Why are you untying it?’ just say, ‘Its master needs it.’” Those who had been sent found it exactly as he had said. As they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?” They replied, “Its master needs it.” They brought it to Jesus, threw their clothes on the colt, and lifted Jesus onto it. As Jesus rode along, they spread their clothes on the road. As Jesus approached the road leading down from the Mount of Olives, the whole throng of his disciples began rejoicing. They praised God with a loud voice because of all the mighty things they had seen. They said, “Blessings on the king who comes in the name of the Lord. Peace in heaven and glory in the highest heavens.” Some of the Pharisees from the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, scold your disciples! Tell them to stop!” He answered, “I tell you, if they were silent, the stones would shout.” As Jesus came to the city and observed it, he wept over it. He said, “If only you knew on this of all days the things that lead to peace. But now they are hidden from your eyes. The time will come when your enemies will build fortifications around you, encircle you, and attack you from all sides. They will crush you completely, you and the people within you. They won’t leave one stone on top of another within you, because you didn’t recognize the time of your gracious visit from God.” (Luke 19:28-44, CEB)
What do you need?
And we all know that there is a difference between a need and a want. I want an 86 inch HDTV with surround sound but I need food and water and shelter even without a TV.
I find it interesting, and I know I have typed this same sentence year after year on Palm Sunday, that there is only one thing that Jesus ever says he needs.
This text is for Palm Sunday, the day Jesus entered into Jerusalem for his death. And we have this reading every year, where Jesus sends disciples ahead to get a donkey, or a colt and donkey, depending on the gospel. But it is actually the only thing that Jesus ever says he needs. Jesus needs a donkey. Because it was prophesized that the Christ would ride a donkey into the city. So Jesus needs a donkey. Not to not go to the cross, or anything else. He needs a donkey.
So what do you need?
What do we need?
God needs us to love as God loves us.
Loving People. Loving God.
aSacredRebel 