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So those who were sent went their way and found it just as He had said to them. But as they were loosing the colt, the owners of it said to them, “Why are you loosing the colt?” And they said, “The Lord has need of him.” (Luke 19:32–34)
Jesus knew that no matter how well you planned, there would be obstacles on the way. He did not assume that everything would work out smoothly.
- Jesus made contingency arrangements. He made plans for questions that would be asked of His disciples. Definitely, you can’t enter a village you are not familiar with, untie a donkey and hope that no one would challenge your actions. Many of us make plans without thinking of the challenges to our plans.
The challenges can come in many forms. It can be people questioning our authority, people denying us an opportunity, people preventing us from gaining access. What do you do when people challenge your plans? Jesus anticipated the obstacles to His mission.
Jesus knew how to resolve challenges to His plans. He knew the words to use to get what He wanted. He told His disciples to respond, ‘The Lord has need of him’.
- ‘The Lord needs him’. Those simple words from the lips of Jesus’ disciples secured the release of the donkey. I’ve wondered how the opposers understood this answer, ‘the Lord has need of him’. Which Lord? It seems vague. Was the phrase a password? Was it a coded message? Obviously, the phrase by itself was powerful enough to get the opposers to release the donkey.
There is good news for each one of us who have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord has a purpose for us. He saved us from sin so that He can use us to work the works of righteousness.
The donkey that Jesus sent His disciples to go and loose had no idea that he had a prophetic role to play in God’s plan of salvation. Likewise, you may have no idea of the critical mission that the Lord has brought you into the world to accomplish.
God can use us for His mission at any time in our lives. You may be old and retired, but the Lord still has need of you. On the other hand, you may be young and inexperienced, but the Lord has a mission for you.