“Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ tell him, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’ ”
Mark 11:2-3
As follows of Jesus, we are Christian soldiers “in the Lord’s ARMeeee!” (as we sang in Sunday School as little children.)
A good solider obeys the command of his general without question. Can you place yourself in the boots (eerrrr….sandals….) of the two disciples who received the instructions laid out above in Mark 11:2-3?
How difficult do you think this was for them? Did they hesitate…question…feel a little uneasy about taking a donkey that wasn’t theirs?
The bottom line: verse four begins, ”They went…” They found the colt and it all happened just like Jesus said. He even provided the script, they read their lines, and it all unfolded beautifully. Just like He said.
It seems so easy when we read it. But, of course, we get to see the end of the story. Obedience often brings blessing and reward on the back end, but it’s the front end that requires faith: The accepting of the assignment and the disregarding of the fear and trepidation, setting aside all the what-ifs that come to the forefront of our minds, as we consider the price of obedience.
How is Jesus asking you to obey Him today? It might not be some THING He wants you to bring to Him…but some ONE. (And maybe that someone could be described as a……donkey….) All the more reason, it will require a step of FAITH to walk in obedience.
Faith is required when our own resources are depleted – when our own ability to alter the situation fails. When we have no more options on our own…when we are not only at the end of our rope–we are hanging by a string….we let go, we let HIM, and we plunge forward in what seems like reckless obedience and ….wait for the miracle!
Where do you need to be a good solider and say, “Yes, Sir!” to General Jesus – trusting that HE has a plan and victory is assured?
Will you kick and buck and resist like a stubborn donkey….dig your heels in and refuse to obey….or will you submit by faith to Jesus and go where (or to whom) He sends?
Obedience in God’s economy requires faith.
The woman of God submits to God in faith.
You can listen to this week’s teaching lecture covering Mark 11:1-26 here: http://fbcsiloam.podbean.com/2014/03/01/ladies-bible-study-mark-lesson-21-laura-macfarlan-%E2%80%94-2-27-14/
Photo attribution: http://blog.eastmanhouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/US-Navy-salute.jpg
