by Stephen Judd
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Luke 19:28–40
Palm Sunday marks one of the most meaningful moments in the life of Jesus. The streets of Jerusalem were filled with expectation. Palm branches waved. Voices shouted praise. The people believed their King had come.
But He did not arrive the way many expected.
Jesus did not enter the city riding a war horse, the symbol of power and conquest. He did not come in royal splendor or political triumph. Instead, He came riding on a borrowed donkey.
He came not in pride, but in humility. Not to claim an earthly throne, but to go to a cross.
And tucked inside this familiar story is a remarkable statement.
Jesus told His disciples where they would find a colt tied. If anyone questioned why they were taking it, they were to say:
“The Lord has need of him.” —Luke 19:31 NKJV
We often hear it said that God does not need us. Certainly, God is not dependent upon us. He is sovereign and self-sufficient.
Yet God has chosen to accomplish His work through willing people.
That makes this Palm Sunday story deeply personal.
Chosen for a purpose
There were many donkeys around Jerusalem. They were ordinary animals used for everyday transportation. Yet Jesus directed His disciples to a particular place and a particular colt.
He chose it for His purpose.
While we might not enjoy being compared to a donkey, we can certainly rejoice in the fact that we, too, have been chosen by God. Jesus said in John 15:16 (KJV), “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you…” Ephesians 1:4 reminds us that He chose us before the foundation of the world. Peter wrote that we are a chosen generation, called out of darkness into His marvelous light.
This does not mean that we have no response in the matter of salvation. Those who are saved are those who respond to His grace. God’s foreknowledge does not override human will. He calls, He reaches, and He invites. We must respond.
What a miracle of grace that is.
Just like that donkey, we are chosen for a purpose.
Loosed to be used
Before the donkey could carry Jesus, it had to be untied.
It had been chosen. It was needed. But it could not fulfill its purpose while it remained bound.
What God uses, He first loosens.
We can be tied to fear, guilt, habits, disappointment, or experiences from our past. We may genuinely love God and still have things that keep us from being fully available to Him.
Jesus came to bring freedom:
“Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” —John 8:36 NKJV
God does not simply set us free from something. He sets us free for something.
He frees us for His purpose.
Under His lordship
There is another interesting detail in the story. Scripture tells us that this colt had never been ridden.
Yet when Jesus sat upon it, the animal carried Him into Jerusalem.
There is a simple picture here of what happens when Christ takes His rightful place in our lives.
James wrote:
“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” —James 4:7–8 NKJV
Submission comes before authority.
When we submit to Christ, He brings direction to what was wandering and purpose to what seemed ordinary.
The question is not simply whether Jesus has a place in our lives. The question is whether He is Lord of our lives.
Carrying Jesus into the world
The donkey had one assignment that day.
Carry Jesus.
It was not the center of attention. The crowds had not gathered to see the donkey. The praises were not directed toward it.
It simply carried Jesus where people could see Him.
What a beautiful picture of the Christian life.
Our purpose is not to draw attention to ourselves. Our purpose is to make Jesus visible.
Through our words, our actions, our attitudes, our generosity, and our faithfulness, we carry Christ into places where people desperately need to see Him.
We do not have to be famous. We do not have to possess extraordinary gifts. We simply have to be available.
Palm Sunday is ultimately not about a donkey.
It is about a King.
A King who entered Jerusalem in humility. A King who knew a cross awaited Him. A King who came because He loved us.
And He is still looking for ordinary people who will make themselves available to His purpose.
When He calls, respond.
When He asks for what you have, release it.
When He needs someone to carry His presence into the world, be willing.
Make yourself available to the King.
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This reflection is adapted from a sermon also available on this website.
