Mark 11. 1-10. This incident is recorded in
each of the three four evangelists.. and, I daresay that it is proving
to be the message from very many platforms & pulpits today being Palm
Sunday, and, I would like to remind you all that this is our Lord’s last
journey up to Jerusalem before His mock trial and crucifixion and for that
reason alone the beloved disciples would never forget it, and there are a few
points that I would like to call your attention to, that bring before us all,
the glories of our Lord and King, and the triumphs of His grace[1]. There
is no reason for thinking that He was within view of the place where the ass,
and its colt were tied. And the question naturally arises, How then did He know
they were there? And the all important answer is “He was God, manifest in the
flesh, they that went found even as He had said unto them. We dare not pass
over these things, and we must remember that He was the maker of the Universe.
He not only knew they were there, but He also knew that the owner would expect
an answer to that question “Why do you loose this colt” and he gave them an
answer before the question was asked. The answer is very suggestive “The Lord
hath need of him”. Now why did He need him? Because it was written in Zechariah
9. 9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion, shout O daughter of Jerusalem, behold
thy King cometh unto the, he is just (righteous or rigid[2], upright)
and having salvation; lowly and riding upon an ass and upon a colt the foal of
an ass. And the Scriptures must be fulfilled. And what He needed was an ass
upon which he might ride into Jerusalem. Not in the pomp and grandeur, common
to Kings of His day but there was a glory that was and is still overlooked.
That which He rode upon was an ass whereupon never man sat. Now, whoever
thought it possible for a man to ride an unbroken colt through a noisy crowd,
and have perfect control over the animal. God gave to man absolute control over
the animal Kingdom, but when man lost it through sin, it was never regained
until our sinless one came and now we see Him, in perfect command. And I would
like to remind you that our Lord had perfect control over every realm of
nature. He stills the tempest of the sea by a word[3]. He
curses the barren fig tree[4], and
it’s dies instantly. He tames the naturally wild young colt of an ass. He calls
Lazarus[5].
Jairus’s daughter[6]
and the widow’s son back to life again[7], and
this is the one who is now riding triumphantly up to Jerusalem, but though He
is so mighty. Heaven’s eternal King, yet he stoops to make use of the poor week
despised things of earth. And I want to impress upon your heart and mine the
fact that He had need of this, young untrained undisciplined colt of an ass,
and sends his disciples to fetch him. And in this day in which we live He is
still sending the servants to bring those he needs to Him. Let us not forget He
can make use of us. Now we are told in Mark’s gospel that this colt was found
at a door – where two ways met, but it was tied. Now here we have a picture full
of suggestion. That which the Lord needed was tied. There are many things used
to tie horses and asses to keep them from running away. There are cords of
different kinds. Chains of different kind. Some have the cords around the neck,
some have a well made halter, and others are tied by the feet so that they only
just hobble about but there are all sorts of things by which men women and boys
and girls are tied. I need not mention them, they come to us all. And the most
common one of all is, the desire to have our own way. Some are kept from Christ
as Thomas was by doubts concerning the resurrection and kindred subjects[8], but a
revelation of Christ as the one crucified, with the marks of suffering still
upon Him was enough, and when he saw Him thus, at once he acknowledged His
deity, (my God) and His Lordship (My Lord)[9], and at
once his chains fell off and he was free[10]. And
then it was at the place two ways met. And how often we find ourselves at a
place where two ways meet. Not only is this true of unsaved ones but also saved
ones. Paul found himself there in Romans 7, and do we not often feel a strong
leaning in one direction or another. I wonder if we know anything of the game
of bowls[11].
The bowl is not quite round, and it is weighted with lead in one side and
therefore has a bias, and it is just impossible to take a straight course, the
player takes the ball in his hand and knows which way it will go and if he
wants it to go in the opposite direction he turns it around, and with the bias
the other way, but nothing he can do will cause it to go straight. But you say
“Is there then no hope?” Yes, thank God there is.. They brought the colt to
Jesus. Now let me say this very lovingly. You have tried over and over again
and you have failed over and over again. Now cease trying and start trusting.
The Lord Jesus took complete control over that untried undisciplined colt and
used him for his glory. And I would like to call your attention to a word in
Luke’s account of the incident. The people sang His praises and acknowledged
His Kingship saying, Glory to God in the highest and peace in heaven. Contrast
this with the song of angels at His birth[12]. There
they sang peace on earth. He came as the Prince of peace, to make peace through
the blood of His cross, but now very soon He is going to the place from which
He came, but not until He has satisfied, all the righteous claims of God for
man, and God accepts the work He has done so completely, and is reconciled. And
He asked us to accept that work also, and rest upon it for our souls salvation.
Are we willing to do this, and, be led, like this colt of an ass to Jesus, that
He may use us for His glory. In the glad morning of my day.. My life to give my
vows to pay. With no reserve, and no delay, with all my heart I come[13]. AMEN
[1] Quote from O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing by Charles Wesley
[2] I think rigid but it is not entirely clear
[3] Matthew 8:26
[4] Mark 11:21
[5] John 11:43
[6] Mark 5:41
[7] Luke 7:14
[8] John 20:25
[9] John 20:28
[10] Quote from And can it be by Charles Wesley
[11] Aunt Nell, husband, one of Lloyd's brothers who lived in Ringmer was an excellent bowls player and collected many trophies. See also 1954 June 13, Providence
[12] Luke 2:14
[13] Just as I am, Thine own to be,
Friend of the young, who lovest me,
To consecrate myself to Thee,
O Jesus Christ, I come.
In the glad morning of my day,
My life to give, my vows to pay,
With no reserve and no delay,
With all my heart I come.
I would live ever in the light,
I would work ever for the right;
I would serve Thee with all my might;
Therefore, to Thee I come.
Just as I am, young, strong, and free,
To be the best that I can be
For truth, and righteousness, and Thee,
Lord of my life, I come.
With many dreams of fame and gold,
Success and joy to make me bold,
But dearer still my faith to hold,
For my whole life, I come.
And for Thy sake to win renown,
And then to take the victorÕs crown,
And at Thy feet to cast it down,
O Master, Lord, I come.
This, Farningham's most famous poem, which is an imitation of Frances Ridley Havergal's 'Just as I am,' appeared in Harvest Gleanings (London: James Clarke, 1903), 43. www.victorianweb.org/authors/farningham/2.html