“When they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden; untie it and bring it. If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ just say this: ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.’” They went away and found a colt tied near a door, outside in the street. As they were untying it, some of the bystanders said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” They told them what Jesus had said, and they allowed them to take it. Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it, and he sat on it.” Mark 11:1-7 (NRSV)
“He sent two.” These are the words that stand out to me today. And the emotion? Relief. Too often I think I’m called to work solo, and the burden weighs heavy. But from the beginning God said, “It is not good for Adam to be alone.” Adam can be translated man or humankind. We people are made for communion, with God, each other, and creation. And when Jesus needs a colt, he sends two to go find it.
Still, this request from Jesus would have left me trembling. Would I find it? And an unridden colt? This is an untrained animal, and it might be hard to handle. What would the bystanders think when we untied it? Shouldn’t we ask before borrowing something? Would they accept our response? Would they trust that Jesus would return it?
Then, awe. They took Jesus’ word for it. They allowed us to take it. So much awe that when we brought it to Jesus, we threw our coats on it. And he simply sat. No breaking-in required. We, those people, the colt – all spellbound by Jesus’ simple words.
Trembling and awe. This is the response to Jesus that we see repeatedly in Mark’s gospel. And it’s how I feel when I sense God’s invitation to act. And I say yes. Tasks often intimidate me and seem beyond my capacity. But God sends partners along, and then I experience what seemed impossible.
Today, I’m prepping for my grandmother’s 100th birthday celebration this Sabbath. Event-planning always intimidates me. But I have family members that are taking various elements and some amazing church family that have stepped in to help behind the scenes. Last night I was still having nightmares of everything that could go wrong. But I know when it comes, I will be in awe of the moment, a century in the making.
Last night, my five-year-old, Eric, had a fever of 103 and spots breaking out all over his body, after having had a bad cough for multiple weeks. We were worried it was pneumonia. I rushed him to urgent care. It was such a relief when my partner walked in the door, my physician-husband, who got there straight from clinic.
On August 24, 2021, I bought a bible verse on Etsy, split into three posters, to put on my wall. Till today, it has remained only as a digital file in a folder on my computer. I love decorating about as much as event-planning. But, because I knew my parents were coming to visit and my stepdad, Mark, is a man of action, I ordered those prints. And as we speak, he and my visiting uncle, just off the plane from Australia, are in Home Depot working on getting those on my wall.
The verse? “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” Matthew 11:28-30.
Those disciples felt Jesus’ easy yoke. Joined together in this strange task. Perhaps the colt even felt Jesus’ easy yoke. Invited to do something it had never done before, it simply was still and allowed Jesus to lead the way.
Today, I choose rest. I choose community. I choose Jesus’ easy yoke.
Raewyn Orlich is the discipleship and nurture pastor at the La Sierra University Church.