When Jesus Wants Your Donkey

How often do we sense that God's calling is "now and forever?" We (or maybe just I) tend to think that if I agree to give up this or do that, I have to be really serious because it's a permanent decision. That kind of thinking keeps us from obedience and joy. When God removes something we love, we often fight and flail. (I realize there are incredible losses we face--the death of a spouse, child, or loved one. That is not what this entry is referring to.) It might be an opportunity, job, object, or idea we're particularly attached to. Have you ever told God, "No," because you're not willing to part with some temporary, earthly object? I have.

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I wondered about that as I read this passage this morning:

As they approached Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, He sent two of His disciples, and said to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, on which no one yet has ever sat; untie it and bring it here. If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ you say, ‘The Lord has need of it’; and immediately he will send it back here.” They went away and found a colt tied at the door, outside in the street; and they untied it. Some of the bystanders were saying to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” They spoke to them just as Jesus had told them, and they gave them permission. They brought the colt to Jesus and put their coats on it; and He sat on it. And many spread their coats in the road, and others spread leafy branches which they had cut from the fields. Those who went in front and those who followed were shouting:

“Hosanna!
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord;
Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David;
Hosanna in the highest!”

Jesus entered Jerusalem and came into the temple; and after looking around at everything, He left for Bethany with the twelve, since it was already late. (Mark 11:1-11).

If you're like me, this is a familiar passage. But today I wondered about the bystanders and owner of the colt. "Jesus has need of it." Jesus didn't steal it. He didn't pay for it. He didn't keep it. He used it for His purpose and returned it. The owner, and those who lent it, trusted Jesus. They didn't know how long He would need it or why. But if Jesus said He needed it, it was for a good purpose: prophetic, incredible, wonderful, historic, God-ward. Temporary.

Too often we balk at doing things for Jesus--or giving them up--as if it's for the rest of our lives. But in giving, we not only find joy and deep satisfaction, we may discover He has a simple, short-lived purpose. His plan always glorifies His Father in Heaven. The question is, do you trust Him? Do I?

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full." (John 15:1-11)

Come to Me

In our world of do-it yourself, the gospels speak clearly, "You can't."

When it comes to Jesus, the only way to receive His mercy and grace is in brokenness and humility. Whether you're a child dragged along by your parents, a blind man sitting at the gate, a paralytic carried and let down through a roof by friends, or a sinner in a tree, Jesus is ready and welcoming. If you're a self-righteous hypocrite, a self-seeking do-it-yourself-er, or someone determined that God is out to get you, you will get what you have earned (see Matthew chapters 20-21).

"Self-made Man" https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwj4grmL8d_cAhVo7oMKHZ0iAzIQjRx6BAgBEAU&url=https%3A%2F%2Fthewayofimprovement.com%2F2012%2F07%2F16%2Fjim-cullen-on-the-self-made-man-in-american-history%2F&psig=AOvVaw0IsHhlZ4Q4g0YvWsoD5nlV&ust=1533901106853139

Need mercy? Come. Forgiveness? Grace in time of need? Compassion?  A cup of cold water? Jesus offers that and more. He offers Himself--and He is limitless. The peace He offers is not your style of peace. It is His peace. The joy He gives is not a human joy; it is His deep, unending joy. The fruit of the Spirit are His gifts to you, gifts without limit or measure; gifts that multiply and abound as we abide in Him and His words abide in us.

To fill that space with myself, my thinking, my desires, my dreams, and my abilities is to forfeit all He has, all He is, and all He can give.

In seeing the proud, demanding heart of people surrounding Him,

Jesus said, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants. Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight. All things have been handed over to Me by My Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father; nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.

"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:25-30

Good Gifts

We live on a farm, so as they say, "Nothing goes to waste." I set aside vegetable peelings, egg shells, and organic matter for the chickens. Meat scraps, drippings and spoiled food goes to the dogs and cats. As I go out the back door, I drop the dogs' goodies in their bowl then call the chickens, who come tottering and flying from every corner. Almost without exception, the dogs follow to see what the chickens have that they don't. Dumping out celery tips, cantaloupe rind, and apple cores I tell them, "There's nothing here for you. You won't like these. Your food is in your bowl," shaking my head because we do the same thing.

God heaps blessing in my lap, but my eyes follow His blessing on another and I start snooping through their goods, leaving mine behind. How incredibly ungracious and foolish! No matter what God has chosen to give others, He has given exactly what He intends me to have--not because He is unfair or unkind--but because He knows and loves me. He will give me exactly what I need when I need it. He is, and always has been, good, loving, generous, kind and wonderful!

Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. (James 1:13-17)

Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction.

You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone; for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs. Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account. But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God. And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen. (Philippians 4:11-20)