JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM: RESERVED FOR THE REDEEMER

“Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Loose them and bring them to Me.” ~ Matthew 21:2

REFERENCE:

Matthew 21:1-11

It is the season of Easter! Let’s journey into Jerusalem with Jesus to witness His last days on earth. King Jesus was about to go into His capital city, Jerusalem, to fulfill the prophecies concerning His death. So, here begins a journey with so much meaning and so many lessons.

In bible days, Kings rode on mules (or donkeys) as King David instructed in I Kings 1:33, “…Take with you the servants of your lord, and have Solomon my son ride on my own mule…” It was a symbol of peace and royalty (until Solomon multiplied horses in Israel). Kings only rode on horses when they went to war. So, Jesus’ riding a donkey was not a sign or poverty or shame, it spoke of His kingship.

The donkey Jesus rode on that day had never been ridden or sat on by anyone (Luke 19:30). Imagine being a donkey but you have never been ridden, but tied to a post? It is like living a life without meaning; limited by your past, your make up, or by those around you. It is like knowing you are meant for more but you are constantly plagued by thoughts of inadequacies. You feel like, “I’m a donkey, but no one will ride on me. I’m good at what I do, but no one will hire me. I look good, but no one will marry me. I have good ideas, but no one will listen to them or give me a shot at my dreams.” What the donkey did not see was that it was reserved for the Redeemer. The Redeemer was the only one who could have ended that life of limitation, of frustration and of insignificance. The Jewish law in Exodus 13:13a, says, “But every firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb…” So, really, it had to take the Lamb of God to redeem that donkey.

You may feel like ‘nothing much has happened in your life in recent times.’ You may feel like the donkey, tied and unable to go beyond a particular level in life. You may wonder why you yet do not have the level of impact and engagement that you desire. It may be because you have been reserved for the Redeemer. He is the only one who has the capacity to redeem all those who feel tied up, tired and torn. He is the one who redeems and restores. Where life has been on pause for you, He will press ‘resume’ and make you live a full, fruitful and fulfilled life.

As we celebrate Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem this Easter season, lift up your eyes to Him, hand your seeming wasted years to Him, and just as the donkey was celebrated upon his release by the Lamb of God, may this season mark your release from every limitation and ungodly embargos, and may you fulfill the reason of your existence. Remember, you are not forgotten or forsaken, you have only been reserved for the Redeemer; He will come, loosen you and use you.

PHOTO QUOTE

ADDITIONAL READING

I Samuel 16:1, 10-13 & Psalm 78:70-72  

Prayers:

+ Lord, give me a new perspective on my life – I am not useless or delayed, I am only reserved for my Redeemer, and He will come for me and show His glory in my life.
+ I rededicate my life to You, my Redeemer. Make meaning out of it and use me for Your glory, in Your holy name I pray.