As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.” This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: “Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’ ” The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.””

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭21:1-11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Life is all about moments. Memories of moments with people stay with you longer than the person does. In the mornings, before my son gets out of the car, I have him say “I am a disciple, child of the Lord, great is my peace and undisturbed composure. God has not given me the spirit of fear, but of power, love and sound mind. I will live and not die, but declare the works of the Lord.” It is a moment for us to affirm our faith together. 

As I was studying our foundational scripture, I thought about the responsibility and privilege of a true disciple. Can we break down this text together? 

1. Jesus told the disciples where they would find the donkey and colt in the village. He did this so that prophecy would be fulfilled. God’s words never return void. He is intentional. He didn’t just run into the donkey. He made them go find it at the very place He had saved it. Don’t worry about if you can’t see the blessings that you’re praying for or that you’ve heard God promise you. He makes things happen for us. It’s yours whether you can see it today or not! 
2. Jesus told the disciples to go get the donkey and the colt, and bring them to Him. Only disciples can go get it! They had to leave where they were, and follow Jesus’ directions. What are you willing to do for God? Is your ear so in tune with His voice, that you can recognize when He tells you to go? Disciples must follow even when it’s inconvenient. When it hurts. When He’s calling you to push beyond your capacity. It takes discipline to be a disciple. 
3. God ties up blessings for His children. The Bible says the donkey had never been ridden. Up to this point in the donkey’s life, it was tied up. Your blessing is waiting on you to get to the place to receive it. So many times we sit around waiting on God, when the truth is, He’s waiting on us. The blessing is already on reserve. The question is, when will you get serious about pursuing it?
4. The disciples took off their cloaks and placed them on the donkey for Jesus to sit on as He road into Jerusalem. Sometimes, we have to take some stuff off for Jesus to enter. He never told the disciples to do this, but somehow they recognized it was necessary. Maybe you need to take off that cloak of pain, or that cloak of rejection, or that cloak of insecurity, and lay it down so that Jesus can enter your heart. He is a master physician. Why are we so afraid to show Him the places that need healing? Of course them leaving you broke your heart. Of course the divorce stung. Of course your children acting a fool is stressful. God knows the heart! When will you stop pretending and lay it down for Him?

My absolute favorite part of this text is only included in the Gospel of Luke’s account of Jesus riding into Jerusalem. Luke is said to have been a physician, so it makes sense that  he includes all of the details! His account says, “Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out”” (Luke‬ ‭19:39-40‬ ‭NIV‬‬). God is King. He is Hosanna! Jesus knew who He was and gave the Pharisees an answer that proved it. This was Jesus’ moment. He was sent to fulfill this very prophecy. 

Before you were in your mother’s womb, God chose you. He knew you. You are a disciple! Now is your time to be a disciple. 

Will you seize your moment? 

Xoxo