Luke 19:28-36 - We are Sent to Loose a Tied Colt

Todayas we look at this passage in Luke 19, we need to remember that in the lastseveral chapters, Jesus has been on his way to Jerusalem with his disciples. Heis giving His last lessons and messages, teaching them things about the comingkingdom. Now, on this particular occasion, in verse 28, it says, "Andwhen he had said this, He went ahead, going up to Jerusalem." Webelieve this is Jesus' last trip to Jerusalem, where he will be crucified. Theevents we read about here in verses 28 and following take place on what we callPalm Sunday.  Over the next several dayswe will be talking about the events of this week leading up to his crucifixion. Thisevent takes place on the east side of Jerusalem on the Mount of Olives. Jesussends two of His disciples to a nearby village to loose a colt that is tied by “adoor outside, where two ways met.” Of course this event is about what takesplace on Palm Sunday, but I think the great lesson here is, especially as wewere looking at the previous parable Jesus just gave about the ten minas thatwas given to the ten servants by their master (vv. 11-27), He was talking abouthow we, as the servants of Jesus, have been entrusted with the Word of God,with the seed of God's Word, and we are to take this seed to the world. We areto invest it in the lives of others, showing them the way to Jesus.  Thenwe have Luke recount this event that takes place. You also read this event indetail in the Gospel of Mark chapter 11. In Mark chapter 11, it talks about howJesus sends two of His disciples. You have a great illustration and applicationof how Jesus sends out His disciples two by two. The Bible teaches us that weshould have a companion to go with us as we share the gospel with others. Thereare many reasons for that. Aswe go out two by two, we are to find a colt that's tied by the door. I love howMark's Gospel says it: “They went their way and found a colt tied by thedoor, outside in a place where two ways met, and they loosed him.” Thiscolt represents a lost sinner. It was a colt that had never been ridden, agreat picture of a sinner who is lost in his sins. He is tied by the door, andisn't it interesting that Jesus says, "I am the door"? He's tied by adoor that's outside. The people who are lost are tied to sin, outside the doorof salvation, Jesus Christ.  Theyare also in a place where “two ways met”. This is a place of decision. Youeither go to heaven from here, or you go to hell. When you meet Jesus Christ,you have to make a choice: Is He indeed the Christ, the Messiah, the Son ofGod, the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world, or is He justsomeone else you don't care to know? If you decide that He is Jesus the Christ,the Son of God, my friend, you want to be loosed from the bondage of your sin.And you need someone to bring you the power of the Gospel Word to loose you.  So,what should we be doing as servants and disciples of Jesus Christ? We should beobeying Him, going to the place where two roads meet, a crossroads for a lostsinner tied to his sin. Our job is to share the good news of Jesus Christ,loose him, and bring him to Jesus. Jesus said, "I have need ofhim."  Oh,my friend, Jesus has need of every lost sinner, who is someone who will bring Himglory, praise, and honor like no one else can. And serve Him to bring others toChrist also. Today, let's apply these scriptures to our lives and be like thesedisciples who went and did as the Lord told them. We have been given the GreatCommission also. We are sent by Jesus to loose a tied colt today! He or she isat the crossroad of decision! Be looking for him or her as you go! Yesterday,my friend Ben and I had the opportunity to begin “loosing” a tied colt (awaitress), as we were eating lunch at a local restaurant. How exciting!!!!