God Will Take Care of You

Now when they drew near Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 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. And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, 'The Lord has need of them,' and immediately he will send them" (Matthew 21:1-3).

John tells us that Jesus and the disciples stopped at Bethany before going on to Jerusalem (John 12:1). So why does Matthew mention Bethphage? That was the village opposite you where the disciples would find the donkey and her colt.

In Judea horses were a rare sight and very expensive. They were usually reserved for war or for royalty. People seldom, if ever, used horses to work their fields, pull their wagons, or ride from place to place. The ass, mule, camel, and ox were the more common beasts of burden then, and now in most Mid-Eastern countries.

Horses were symbols of war. A mule, ass, donkey, or ox was the symbol of peace. It was a sign of humility and honor to ride in that manner (Judges 10:4; 12:14; 1 Samuel 25:20). Solomon, when he was inaugurated as king, rode on a mule (1 Kings 1:33). It was, therefore, fitting that Jesus, the King of the Jews, the Prince of Zion, should enter His capital city of Jerusalem in such a manner (Zechariah 9:9).

Jesus was to enter Jerusalem riding on the colt of a donkey. The reason the disciples were told to take both the donkey and her colt was so that the colt would be more inclined to go with the disciples if its mother was with it.

What’s the point? Jesus took every opportunity to prove to His disciples that nothing was beyond His control, that He was sovereign over storms, diseases, the spirit world, and the animal kingdom. In this event Jesus revealed His power over the mind and heart of the owners of the animals, as well as over the animals themselves. The Lord has need of them was understood by the animal’s owners and by the animals as well.

It is difficult in our day and time to grasp the sovereignty of God over all things. My mother use to say, “If Jesus is not Lord over all, then He’s not Lord at all.” Every event in His life was designed, planned, and orchestrated by the will of God. I believe our lives are as well. Nothing concerning us escapes Him. He is aware of the bird that falls from the sky (Matthew 10:29), and He is aware of our rising up and falling. He knows the number of hairs on our head (Matthew 10:30), of our needs before we ask Him (Matthew 6:8), and is willing and able to provide for our daily needs (Matthew 6:25-34). We just need to love and trust Him as our sovereign Lord.

“Thank You, Lord Jesus, for Your daily provisions of life. May we always express our thankfulness for the multitude of blessings You provide every moment of every day. Amen.”

Pastor