Prepare the Path

As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, saying to them, “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. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’ ” They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, some people standing there asked, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go.

Mark 11:1-6 NIV‬

I can’t imagine how amazing it must have been to be in Jesus’ presence. The disciples experienced the person of Jesus with them…speaking, preaching, and at times, commanding them to complete certain tasks. Even with the physical King of Kings with them, it still required faith to believe in Him, follow, and obey. 

In verse 3 of this passage, Jesus gives the disciples explicit instructions to find a colt and bring it to Him. That may have seemed like an odd task to them and any observers so he made sure to give them additional directions. “If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.” It was a matter of fact explanation that the disciples were to say to anyone who questioned what they were doing. This may seem like a trivial passage, but God was preparing the way to ensure there were no obstacles that may prevent the Father’s plan for Jesus to complete His mission of ultimate sacrifice for our salvation. 

Although, in our own lives here on earth, we may not have the physical Jesus telling us what to do if we encounter anyone questioning us or if we meet any other challenges along our way, we DO have a God who has promised to always be with us, never leave us, and purposely gave us the power of the Holy Spirit to help us. God is still more than able to prepare the way even if we question the task before us. He sees the path ahead and has already foreseen anything to cause us to fumble. He has handled any hindrances to accomplishing His will for our lives. Listening to God and following His will requires faith that He is the Waymaker. He is a powerful Preparer of the Path. And He asks for us to trust and obey because He knows the way.