YOU WERE MADE FOR THIS MOMENT!

Matthew 21:1-3, NLT, “As Jesus and the disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to the town of Bethphage on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of them on ahead. “Go into the village over there,” he said. “As soon as you enter it, you will see a donkey tied there, with its colt beside it. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone asks what you are doing, just say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will immediately let you take them.”

1. There’s Purpose in the Pause

“Go into the village over there,” he said. As soon as you enter it, you will see a donkey tied there, with its colt beside it…” Matthew 21:2a

This all took place within Passion Week. It was the reason for why Jesus came. It was a week full of purpose, but in this moment, Jesus paused.

Pause means to stop temporarily or linger for a time, to wait

He paused to fulfill the prophecy

Matthew 21:4-5, “This took place to fulfill the prophecy that said, “Tell the people of Jerusalem, ‘Look, your King is coming to you. He is humble, riding on a donkey—riding on a donkey’s colt.’”

Why a donkey?

A colt is a young male donkey that is less than 4 years old – this colt had never been ridden – but was at the proper age to be able to carry the burden and weight placed upon it
Known to be strong, sure-footed, and nimble.
Intelligent, sociable, and calm. Unlikely to do something they consider unsafe which makes them a great, trusted companion.
Form very strong bonds with their companions and can become ill if separated from them. Therefore, it is important to make sure they always have their friends around them, even if they travel somewhere outside their home.
Can carry heavy loads over rough terrain.
Donkeys are humble creatures, symbols of peace. Kings often rode them to signify peace (a horse would signify war)

No doubt, a colt was the perfect choice to carry the King.

If you feel like you are in the middle of a pause, know that it is time for :

Preparation
Pursuit
Patience

There’s purpose in the pause!

2. There’s A Demand On Your Destiny

“Untie them and bring them to me.” Matthew 21:2b

There has always been a plan in place, and you’ve been placed in the middle of that plan.

Sometimes we lose sight of that plan and become bogged down with routine, mundane tasks, day in day out carousel

What may have seemed mundane and routine becomes the training ground for walking in divine purpose.

Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

Jesus will often use others to call out the destiny on your life.

“As Jesus and the disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to the of Bethphage on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of them on ahead.” Matthew 21:1, NLT

He is untying you AND the legacy that is within you to carry something of great value…

3. There’s a Burden to Bear

“If anyone asks what you are doing, just say, ‘The Lord needs them…’ The two disciples did as Jesus commanded. They brought the donkey and the colt to him and threw their garments over the colt, and he sat on it.” Matthew 21:3, 6-7, NLT

Surrendering to the call of the Savior makes you an active participant in the narrative He is writing over your life.

Donkeys are often referred to as beasts of burden because of their ability to carry heavy loads over long distances and difficult terrain. This colt had never been ridden before, but was about to carry the most important thing it would ever carry

His yoke is easy and His burden is light. It is His graces that enables us.

Matthew 11:28-30 (MSG), “Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.”

What was placed on the colt to carry was not an oppressive burden, but a burden of duty and responsibility. It did not buckle under the weight nor waiver from the path even if the terrain may have been difficult.

Do not underestimate your ability to carry the weight of what the Lord has asked you to carry

Age is not a factor when it comes to being used by Jesus.

1 Timothy 4:12 says, “Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.” (NLT)

The beautiful thing about this is that even though the colt was the one carrying Jesus, the mother went on the journey as well.

In Acts 2, Peter references the prophet Joel in preaching his first message saying in the last days He will pour out His Spirit on all flesh…No one is left out of this moment. He closes out his message saying, “For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”

You and I were made for this moment.