"Loose Him, the Lord Hath Need of Him" (Luke 19:29-31) 12/29/24 8am

"Loose Him, the Lord Hath Need of Him" (Luke 19:29-31)

If God the Father allowed Christ the Son, any earthly acclaim, any honor or praise during the Incarnation, then certainly it was on this day. This was the day when, for one shining moment all who followed Him, and many who would later come to hate Him, recognized Him as King (Luke 19:38).

As Jesus came up from Bethany, it was almost like a coronation. His fans and followers reminisced over all the miracles they had seen; over the good works He had done in the prior three years (Luke 19:37).

Suddenly, spontaneously, and powerfully, they erupted in praise (Luke 19:37). This day was such a high point in Jesus’ ministry, that He told His detractors that if those who praised Him “held their peace” then the very rocks would cry out (Luke 19:40).

It was a sight to see. People came out to the main thoroughfare waving palm branches and shouting, "Hosanna; blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord" (Mark 11:9). Some even took their own clothing and laid them across the road (Mark 11:8). Some 550 years earlier, the Old Testament prophet Zechariah prophesied that a King was coming to Jerusalem, riding on a young donkey (Zechariah 9:9).

This event marked the high point of Jesus’ earthly ministry and was the fulfillment of Zechariah’s prophecy. The passage under our consideration has one salient thought: if you want to see God glorified; if you want to see His plan fulfilled, then don’t withhold your donkey. The verses regarding the colt, or the young donkey, form the framework of this passage as well as the fulfillment of ancient prophecy. Consider the following four points.

1. There are some things that you possess that have been set aside for use in God’s Kingdom.

• Jesus told His disciples if they entered the village opposite to where they were living, that they would find a donkey that no man had ever sat on (Luke 19:30).
• Our resources belong to God (Psalm 24:1; Deuteronomy 8:17-18; 1 Chronicles 29:14).

1. God had prepared the owner’s heart for this moment.

• All the owner had to do was hear that "the Lord hath need of Him" (Luke 19:31), and the disciples could take the donkey.
• God prepares the hearts of His people to give (Exodus 35:21; 2 Corinthians 9:7; Philippians 2:13).

1. The donkey has to be loosed.

• The donkey was tied up and had to be loosed to be brought to Jesus (Luke 19:30).
• Believers sometimes hesitate when giving to God (Haggai 1:4-5; Matthew 19:21-22; 1 Kings 18:21).

1. This was an act of faith, done in response to the work that God was already doing on the owner’s heart.

• The owner was told only: "The Lord hath need of him" (Luke 19:34).
• Believers should respond to God in faith (2 Corinthians 9:6-7; Genesis 12:1-4; James 1:2-4).

"Christ First, Christ Only, Christ Always"