Colt
I enjoy reading Luke 19! The complete chapter set the stage for "Dr" Luke to present to his audience the grace, love, and mercy that was on full display by Christ the Messiah. The chapter begins with one of the most famous accounts of Christ's Ministry and, for the book of Luke, the most quoted verse. Luke 19:10 reads, "For the Son of Man came to seek and save the lost." Zaccheus was not saved because he promised to do good works. He was saved because he responded by faith to Christ's gracious word to him. The host became the guest!
Next in the verses, Jesus shared the parable of the Ten Minas. Jesus explained that the kingdom would not come until a future time but that His servants had better be faithful now to do the job assigned to them. In the parable, you see three different responses to the Master. First, one could respond with faithful obedience (16-19). You could react with unfaithful obedience (20-23). Some even choose to respond with outright rebellion (14-27).
The whole chapter was the beginning of a journey that began with one step. It was the journey to the cross. The cross was mentioned in the prophets as the tool that would be used to solidify our forgiveness and the mean by which Christ would give His life. Luke 19:28-40 was the beginning of what we observe as Holy Week. The beginning of the Passover celebrations for the Jewish faith. The King, Jesus Christ, was arriving in Jerusalem.
We tend to expect pomp and circumstance to surround essential people. The prince typically arrives with camels, elephants, banners, and confetti in children's cartoons. There are bands playing and children celebrating. During State Visits that are orchestrated for Presidents and Royalty, there are military bands, flyovers, and rank and file parades. History has provided us fanfare for the arrival of "famous" people. So naturally, those waiting for the Messiah's coming should have expected the same, right? If anyone should arrive with pomp and circumstance, the Messiah was indeed that person. Yet, from Jesus' birth in a manger to His everyday life of ministry and entry into Jerusalem the week before His death, He painted a much different picture—a picture of utter humility. On this day for this arrival, He selected to arrive on a colt. Not just any colt, an un-tamed colt.
With complete transparency, when I read this account, seeing how paintings and movies interrupt these details, I think of my childhood on Granddad's farm with the mules. Yes, I understand that a colt, donkey, and mule represent different things; however, I can help be recall how my Granddad valued his mule. From the rows it plowed to the prizes it won in the annual Mule Day parade, it's an event; look it up. The animal meant a lot to him, and to him, it was an ordinary animal that was utilized for beneficial responsibilities. So when Christ sent the disciples to retrieve the colt, He did so knowing that He would use an ordinary animal for a very beneficial responsibility. That colt, untamed, was going to be tamed for the King. The God of creation used His creation on the way to save His creation!
Friends, Some responded to Jesus' entry into Jerusalem on a lowly donkey with praise and celebration. Others responded with criticism. All misunderstood His intentions. Regardless, Jesus was publicly presenting Himself to the nation and God ordained this event to be acknowledged by many. Jesus was clearly proclaiming that He was Israel's Messiah and that as Messiah, His path to eternal victory would come through the greatest possible act of earthly humility. How will you respond to this act of humility?