Untie, bring. The Lord needs it.
Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here… The Lord needs it.' (Mark 11:2-3)
On this Palm Sunday, I am just thinking if those Galilean disciples came to a gated home in Ntinda or Kololo, knocked or rang the bell, and asked to borrow a car – a Landcruiser or a Subaru Forrester – would that owner give it? ‘The Lord needs it’, they would say; and one likely answer: ‘Who is he that I should release my precious vehicle? How can you even think of coming here to borrow this? You are not able to drive it and take good care of it! And how sure can I be it will be returned?’ But perhaps there are some who would let go of the car, and remain hopeful that it will return in good condition! The events of Palm Sunday open up an important discussion on generosity.
The Lord, who is asking, actually made all things. We can safely say that all things belong to Him. Moreover, He has continued his generosity to mankind with all kinds of gifts, answers to prayers, rescue from various dangers, and promises for more good things to those who love Him. There are testimonies in Ps 118 regarding the goodness of the Lord – “for he is good; his love endures forever”. The celebratory psalm goes also into prayer and assurance, looking forward to the Saviour:
The LORD has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad.
LORD, save us! LORD, grant us success!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD. From the house of the LORD we bless you. (Ps 118:24-26)
The awaited Saviour will save the people and grant them success, and will also receive praise from them. That is exactly what happened as Jesus Christ entered Jerusalem on the eventful Palm Sunday. Generosity was not only shown in letting go of the colt, but also in the disciples’ throwing their clothes on the colt and spreading their clocks and tree branches on the road where Jesus passed. Let us receive the challenge of generosity in our own context today. There has been great faithfulness among the God’s people – bringing into God’s house the tithes, free will and thanksgiving offerings, as well as special contribution to development work. All this is appreciated.
It is only fair for us to encourage ourselves to continue in the noble discipline of giving, and encourage many others who have been slow at it to pick up this important aspect of our worship and relationship with God. As we consider many needs in the Church and among his people, think of that precious article in your house, think of that precious portion of your income or profits, and hear the Lord’s demand: ‘Untie, bring. The Lord needs it.’
God bless you all.