Unquestioning Obedience Leads to Unbelievable Blessing

Zechariah 9:9 “Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, daughter of Jerusalem! See your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”

There are some stories that always amaze me. Year after year I reread them and they never grow old. Instead they encourage me, strengthen my faith, and renew my desire to obey the Lord’s commands fully.

During the Easter season we reflect on the events that occurred in the last week of Jesus’ ministry on earth. He had spent three years publicly teaching, healing, and revealing His identity to crowds of followers. Many had rejected His claim to be the Son of God, the Messiah, but many believed and followed Him.

Among the followers there were twelve men who were His closest companions. He intimately trained them to carry on the spread of the Kingdom message after He was no longer physically with them. Over the months and years these men had seen and participated in many great things. They had laughed and cried with Him, and the majority had learned to trust their Master and follow His instructions carefully. In so doing they were blessed and others along with them.

Another Passover season was approaching and Jesus and His followers made preparations to travel to Jerusalem. A cloud of unrest overshadowed the joy of the holiday. So much difficulty had occurred in the previous weeks causing the disciples to struggle with concern over their Master’s safety, not to mention their own. Yet they had learned to trust and obey Him.

They set out on their journey and upon reaching the small village of Bethphage, Jesus gave some strange instructions. He appointed two of his followers to enter the village where He told them they would find a tethered donkey with its colt.

“Bring them to me!” He instructed. “And if anyone questions you, tell them that the Lord has need of these animals. They will comply with your request.”

These men did not question Jesus’ instructions, but instead they went and did all that He asked.

They entered the village.

They found the animals.

They grabbed the lead ropes.

They brought them to Jesus.

No ifs, ands, or buts – only unquestioning obedience.

At the time I doubt they had any idea that they were participating in the fulfillment of prophecy. They were just doing what the Lord asked. Yet their actions contributed to a scenario that had been foretold hundreds of years before in the book of Zechariah.

Matthew 21:4 “This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet.”

Mounting the coat-saddled colt, Jesus rode into the great city of Jerusalem, announced by the excited screams of the massive crowds,

“Hosanna to the Son of David;

Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord;

Hosanna in the highest!”

This was the beginning of a week to which all of the Old Testament pointed. The exuberant crowds would soon turn violent and revolt against the Prince of Peace. Yet the Savior directed every single detail. Not even the things that seemed out of control were out of control! The One who kept a never-ridden colt completely calm in the midst of a riotous celebration also allowed the masses to shift sentiments and lead Him to the cross where He would fulfill His purpose of bringing salvation to the world.

The Lord’s complete control over every step of the journey to the cross is such an encouragement in our own personal journey here on earth. It is easy to be deceived into thinking that difficult experiences are unplanned mistakes. This could not be further from the truth. God has ordained the details of our lives and is expertly working out His plan for us. Our job is not to panic, but to trust and obey!

This week as you consider Jesus’ final days on earth let the story encourage you, strengthen you and renew your desire to trust and obey the Savior’s every command.

When life gets hard and confusing remember God is still in control of every detail and our . . .

Unquestioning Obedience Leads to Unbelievable Blessing

Love,

Mama