Background Story: Jesus just told his disciples that He is heading to Jerusalem where they would condemn Him to death and they would, “mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him” and that, “Three days later he will rise.” (Mark 10:34) The disciples are encouraging Jesus not to go.

Read Mark 11: 1-10

 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, ² saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. ³ If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’”

⁴ They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, ⁵ some people standing there asked, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” ⁶ They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. ⁷ When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. ⁸ Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. ⁹ Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted,

“Hosanna!

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!

¹⁰ Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!

Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

Big Idea: We can join God in His plan.

Jesus went to Jerusalem knowing full well that He was going there to be beaten, die, and rise again (Mark 10:33-34). He asked two of his disciples to go get a specific donkey and gave them instructions on what they were to do and say. He also noted how the owner would respond. This little story seems insignificant in light of what Jesus said would happen in the future. But these two disciples and the owner had a part to play in the story of God’s redemption no matter how small.

As we live for Christ as His disciple, He will ask us to take small seemingly insignificant steps of faith like speaking to a person about Him, stepping out in faith financially, doing an act of service, or any small act that steps us out of our comfort zone. He does this not for His sake but for ours. As we take those small steps of simple obedience, we learn to trust Him, to rely on Him, and we get to be part of His story.

God’s story is like a mighty river flowing through history from the time of creation through today redeeming mankind and drawing us into relationship with Him. So often we ask, “what’s God’s plan for my life?” And while this isn’t a bad question, a better question might be, “God, how can I join You today in Your plan?” God is already at work and we get the privilege to get in the river and play a small part in His ultimate plan. When we do, we see that this life is not all about us but the goal is God’s glory.

Let’s ask God today for simple ways we can join in His work today.

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Similar Devotions: What Is A Follower?, Simon Says, Salt and Light, Nothing is Wasted, Orange Sherbet, Becoming Less,  It’s Never Time to Quit, Swimming Upstream