And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you, and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him and bring him. Mark 11:2
The King of Israel was about to ride in triumph into Jerusalem, but the two disciples who were sent to fetch the donkey didn’t know that. The donkey’s owners didn’t know that. And, of course, the donkey didn’t know that. But a most unusual set of circumstances occurred in this story, all because two disciples did what they were told. How thrilled they must have been when they saw Jesus ride into the city with the crowds shouting their Hosannahs. You and I seldom realize the impact of simple acts of obedience, even when the direction we receive flies in the face of reason.
Naturally speaking, this particular donkey would have been unsuitable for the task at hand. For one thing, he belonged to somebody else. Also, he was in captivity, tied to a door. And he was unbroken, never trained to allow someone to ride upon him. He was as hopeless a case as any sinner outside of God’s salvation. And yet, this unlikely little beast became the centerpiece that day of a great historical event. All because two disciples did what they were told.
Was there any question that these disciples would have followed Jesus’ command? No. He was their Lord, and He had given them a task to perform. No matter that the task seemed strange or unlikely to fulfill. God often has us fill in some of the small pieces of His plan in unusual and – to us – incomprehensible ways. How thrilling when we look back on what God has wrought, to see how He has enabled us to actually be included in His projects.
I remember as a lad of 13, on the day that Gospel meetings were to begin in the Millbrook school, that Hiel Patterson and I held a brief prayer meeting in the school. How marvellously were our prayers answered over the next month, as 25 people were saved in that little old schoolhouse! For such a tiny part that I played, I was thrilled to see God move in a mighty way.
Faithfulness in small things is richly rewarded, because, although our part might be small, God’s part could be incredibly magnificent. -Jim MacIntosh