Mark 11:1-11 "A Reflection on the Intentions of Jesus"

Mark 11:1   “ . . . Jesus sent two of his disciples . . . ” (NIV)

As recorded in Mark 11 Jesus had prepared for his entry into Jerusalem. He had made prior arrangements with the owners of a colt to provide the animal for his use. He had given the owners a password, so to speak, “The Lord needs it,” so that the disciples could readily obtain the colt. 

Jesus purposely rode the donkey, considered a royal animal in that day, in order to fulfill prophecy (Zechariah 9:9). The people of Jerusalem understood the symbolism and responded with the spreading of coats and fronds on Jesus’ path. They received him as a king (v. 10) coming in triumph.

These preparations made by Jesus reveal his intention. He planned his royal entry; he was not swept up into events by a frenzied crowd. Later, he was not taken into custody because the arresting party was a superior force (Matthew 26:53), and he did not go to the cross because Pilate had authority over him (John 19:11). Each step in the passion account revealed the intention of Jesus to fulfill the plan of salvation which became clear to his disciples only at his resurrection from the dead, but it had been set forth in the providence of God before time began. (Ephesians 1:4)

As disciples of Christ we enter into this intention. We become part of the divine plan. Our obedience to the Lord, hour by hour, day by day, year by year, leads us into a future secured by the power of God who loves us and provided for our salvation through Jesus Christ--our Lord and King, triumphant over evil, sin and death. “Hosanna!”

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Pilgrim’s Progress. Christian in the “valley of the Shadow of Death” came upon things that “cared not for Christian’s sword . . . forced him to put up his sword and betake himself to another weapon called, ‘All Prayer.” . . . poor Christian was so confounded that he did not know his own voice; and thus I perceived it: Just when he was come over against the mouth of the burning Pit, one of the wicked ones got behind him, and stept up softly to him, and whisperingly suggested many grievous blasphemies to him, which he verily thought had proceeded from his own mind.” (Pilgrim’s Progress, by John Bunyan, Oxford Edition, p. 52)

An Observation Following Illness. Every person is irreplaceable, but every person’s work is eventually, most times sooner than later, replaceable. So, when healthy, remember that we most work for eternity as we invest ourselves personally, giving ourselves to people, not things.