Holy Week & Strange Instructions
Jesus sent two disciples, telling them, “Go to the village ahead of you. Right away you will find a donkey tied there, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me… (Matthew 21:1b-2)
He (Jesus) said, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says, “My time is near. I will observe the Passover with my disciples at your house.”’” (Matthew 26:18)
As Jesus was nearing the completion of His Father’s assignment of going to the cross, there were a couple of times He directed His disciples to do some things that I am sure sounded strange. First, Jesus told two of His disciples to go ahead and untie a donkey and a colt and bring it to Him. (Matthew 21:2) If interrupted and asked, why they were taking the animal they were to simply say, “The Lord has need of them.” (v. 3)
The second moment, much closer to Jesus’ betrayal, arrest, and trials regarded preparations to be made to observe the Passover is recorded in Matthew 26: 17-19. The chosen disciples were to go into Jerusalem and find a “certain man.” This man, according to Jesus, in Mark’s Gospel would meet them carrying a pitcher of water. (14:13)
Going to get the two animals could be taken as stealing as well as, how did Jesus even know the animals were there? Next, preparing for the Passover, the instructions to connect with a certain individual could be taken so random and vague. In addition, with all the Jews coming to Jerusalem, it could be viewed as “finding a needle in a haystack” kind of mission.
What is amazing in both cases, after being told these strange directions, the disciples spoken to, go as Jesus directed. In both situations, it seems without question or hesitancy. Then, on top of that both situations work out just as Jesus had said:
So the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them. They brought the donkey and colt, laid their clothes on them, and set Him on them. (Matthew 21:6-7)
So the disciples went out and came into the city, and found it just as He had said to them; and they prepared the Passover. Mark 14:16
When have you heard God direct you with some strange instructions? A couple of examples/testimony we have experienced:
*Leave your present employment and move without having the next job in place.
*Heard to start packing and put the house up for sale while still not sure when, why, or how we are moving. (God’s timing to put the house up for sale, which we viewed as premature, ended up being crucial as the home sold just four days before a major catastrophic flood in the area…the timing of God!!!)
You, too, probably have your moments of scratching your head and wondering if you were hearing God correctly. Jesus’ instructions to His first disciples, are still, more than ever before, relevant for us today…“Follow Me.” We follow a Person and not our commonsense or wisdom or what happened last time. Shema Living says, “Yes!” to the adventure of following Jesus!
