Luke 19:25-31: a reflection

25“They said to him, ‘Lord, he has ten minas!’ 26‘For I tell you that to everyone who has, will more be given; but from him who doesn’t have, even that which he has will be taken away from him. 27But bring those enemies of mine who didn’t want me to reign over them here, and kill them before me.’” 28Having said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29When he came near to Bethsphage and Bethany, at the mountain that is called Olivet, he sent two of his disciples, 30saying, “Go your way into the village on the other side, in which, as you enter, you will find a colt tied, which no man has ever sat upon. Untie it and bring it. 31If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ say to him: ‘The Lord needs it.’”

As Jesus approaches Jerusalem, he sends two disciples ahead with an unusual instruction: they will find a colt tied up that no one has ridden; they are to untie it and bring it, and if anyone asks why, they are to say simply, The Lord has need of it. On the strength of that word, they are to take the animal for Jesus' use. The owner, hearing that the Lord needs it, lets it go. What belonged to another was released for the Lord's purpose at his word.

Notice the simple claim: the Lord has need of it. Jesus lays claim to the colt, and the owner releases it, because the Lord needs it. It is a small scene, but it pictures something larger: that what we have is available to the Lord, to be released for his use when he needs it. The colt served a greater purpose than its owner could have imagined, carrying the King into Jerusalem, because it was given up at the Lord's word.

That is a quiet invitation to hold what we have loosely, ready to release it for the Lord's use. Our possessions, our time, our abilities, even things we are attached to, are available to the Lord, who may have need of them for purposes greater than we can see. When the Lord has need of something you have, will you release it, as the owner released the colt? Hold your possessions and plans with an open hand, ready to say, the Lord has need of it, and to let it go for his use. What is released to the Lord often serves a greater purpose than we could have imagined.

Lord, when you had need of the colt, its owner released it at your word, and it carried you, the King, into Jerusalem, serving a greater purpose than he could have imagined. Teach me to hold what I have that loosely. My possessions, my time, my abilities, even the things I am attached to, are available to you; help me release them for your use when you have need of them. When you lay claim to something I have, give me a heart ready to say, the Lord has need of it, and to let it go. Let what I release to you serve purposes greater than I can see, and keep my hands open to your call on all I have.