Loving Plans

As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me.  If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”                                          Matthew 21:1-3

Today is Palm Sunday, the traditional start of Holy Week. It marks one week before the highest holy day, Easter. On this day that we call Palm Sunday, Jesus rode triumphantly down the streets of Jerusalem to the adulation of a crowd who knew of his marvelous teachings and the miracles he had performed. They, of course welcomed him with great joy that day. By Friday, they would be demanding his death.

We know this story. I have always been fascinated by the possible back story of how Jesus had arranged for the donkey and the colt. Evidently, the owner of these animals was known to Jesus, and Jesus had known just when the time was to dispatch his disciples for the entry to Jerusalem.

Jesus had known all along how this story would end, and he had planned the smallest details of it. Love entails anticipating what others need and providing things for them that they cannot provide for themselves.

What an example Jesus gave, upon his anticipated death just days later, to plan the details of how he would redeem the people he loved.

Prayer: Lord, what an example of love you have given to us! Amen