This Week's Worship

Obscure Obedience

Jesus’ command to the two disciples was, by the standards of the time, both risky and unrealistic. Going into a village and taking a donkey from someone’s property could easily provoke political suspicion and social unrest. 

On a personal level, the command was filled with uncertainty. The disciples did not know who owned the donkey or how the owner would respond. From a human perspective, Jesus’ instruction carried a high degree of risk and ambiguity. 

Yet the risk and uncertainty did not belong to the disciples—they belonged to Jesus’ authority. What was required of the disciples was not understanding or calculation, but obedience. They were called simply to trust the word of their Lord and act upon it. 

Their obedience was quiet, unseen, and without guarantees—yet it became part of God’s greater purpose.

Matthew 21:1-7 (NKJV) 

21 Now when they drew near Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Loose them and bring them to Me. 3 And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of them,’ and immediately he will send them.” 4 All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: 

5 “Tell the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your King is coming to you, Lowly, and sitting on a donkey,  A colt, the foal of a donkey.’ ” 

6 So the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, and set Him on them