“Go into that village over there,” he said, “and as soon as you enter it, you will see a donkey tied there, with a colt beside it. Untie them and bring them to me... The two disciples did as Jesus commanded.” — Mathew 21: 2,6 NLT
Wisely, Jesus didn’t put me on donkey detail because I’d be like where—exactly—does this village start? Is it like one of those towns that has a spiffy sign along the main road that artistically reads, “Welcome to _______”?
“And Jesus,” I’d ask, “is this donkey and colt on the left or the right of the road?”
If this village is like a suburb of Boston where the distinct towns are not distinct in that they literally run into each other (instead of in the country life were villages are set apart), I’d ask Jesus more clarifying questions before I left on what to me may be mission impossible.
“Now Jesus, how old is the donkey? The colt? Are there other donkeys and colts nearby? (As if I’d bring back the wrong twosome.) And what are they tied to, a post, a corner of a barn? Oh, and are they friendly? Motivated? Should I bring a couple of carrots or something?"
Here’s the thing about Jesus and this Palm Sunday especially. Jesus gives us all we need. His words are not just precise, they’re perfect.
I made my point about the unknowns facing the two who went for Jesus’ ride into Jerusalem. Today, and into this COVID-19 Holy Week ahead, we, too, have unknowns. Just how is Holy Week going to go this year?
PRAYER: Jesus, let your go-for team remind us that your words never fail. Even with uncertainly, we will let your ministry continue. Amen.