Mark 11:1-6

Passage

Jesus has finally arrived at Jerusalem.  When He gets to the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples ahead of him and told them to go and find colt that is tied up.  Nobody had ever sat upon it.  The disciples are to go, get it, and bring it to Jesus.  Jesus also tells the disciples that if anyone questions them that they are to tell the owner that the Lord has need of it.  The pair of disciples goes and finds everything just as Jesus said it would be.  As they untied the colt to bring it back, some people do ask what they are doing.  The disciples tell them what Jesus told them to say and the people let them take the colt to Jesus.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

The day has finally come.  Jesus is literally at the brink of taking the last steps of His earthly life.  As He nears Jerusalem, He knows what is at stake.  He knows what will happen.  He knows it is by God’s design.  It is important to stop here in this story and understand.  Jesus knows this moment for what it is.  This is the beginning of the last time He will enter Jerusalem as a friend.  He will leave Jerusalem escorted by Roman soldiers and treated like a criminal.

What do you think Jesus felt as He stood ant Bethphage and Bethany and looked to Jerusalem?  What do you feel as you read these opening verses to Mark 11?

Second Thought:

Jesus sends His disciples as a pair to get the colt.  Certainly a single grown man could handle a donkey.  Therefore, Jesus is continuing to make the point to teach His disciples the importance of having a ministry pair in life.  Doing the work of God is tough enough.  We all need at least one other person with whom we can share the journey.  Struggles are overcome easier with more than one person.  Joys are celebrated more happily with more than one person.  Ministry is best done as a team.

Do you often work with a team or a partner?  Why do people like to do it on their own?

Third Thought:

The disciples find everything as Jesus said it would be.  Of course, Jesus is God.  Why wouldn’t it be that way?  However, there is a deeper point.  Three times Jesus has told them about His death and resurrection.  Three times the disciples didn’t catch what He was saying.  Jesus demonstrates here that He does know what is going on and things will happen as He says they will happen.  He will die.  He will be raised again.  Jesus is in control.

How do you feel knowing that Jesus is in control?  How do you feel knowing that God can know the future?  Why might this help to bring about peace in this world?

Passage for Tomorrow: Mark 11:7-11