An Untamed Colt

 

Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.” This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying, “Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’” The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. (Matthew 21:1-7 ESV).

 

Today is Palm Sunday, one week before the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection! So much takes place in this last week of Jesus’ ministry during these days. Hopefully we will look at some of these events a bit differently than we have before so that we may find encouragement and hope in our lives. So, today I’ve chosen to focus on the almost overlooked little animal that is so important to Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the untamed colt of a donkey.

 

From our reading we see that Jesus tells his disciples to go into the village, untie a donkey and her colt, and bring them to him. Mark and Luke describe it as a colt that “no one has ever ridden” (cf. Mark 11:2; Luke 19:30). And selecting a donkey’s colt, Matthew explains, fulfills a prophecy (cf. Zechariah 9:9). Riding a donkey’s colt identifies the rider as coming in peace.

 

What’s striking is how that donkey, never before ridden, submitted to Jesus without resisting. Even the loud “Hosanna” shouts of the people seemed to have no impact on this animal. Such unnatural behavior of this donkey’s foal is as instructive as it is miraculous. It is further proof that Jesus has dominion over all of his creation. Did Jesus look for the same submission from his disciples—total surrender to the Master? Paul wrote later, “I urge you in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God” (Romans 12:1). Perhaps our thinking about this colt should prompt us to ask whether we’re submissive to the Lord. Or do we tend to act as might be expected of a stubborn donkey, braying in protest and pulling against the lead? It is always best to submit to the leadership of Jesus. Make that your commitment today.