“Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ you shall say this: ‘The Lord has need of it.’” (Luke 19:30–31 ESV).
As Jesus approached Jerusalem, He gave specific and unusual instructions to two of His disciples. He told them to find a colt that had never been ridden, untie it, and bring it to Him. A colt that had never been ridden would typically be untamed and uncooperative—yet Jesus would ride it peacefully into Jerusalem. That alone is a quiet miracle, a display of divine authority over creation.
Even more powerful is the prophetic fulfillment behind it. Zechariah 9:9 had foretold, “Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” Jesus intentionally chose this colt to declare who He is—the humble, righteous King sent by God. He didn’t ride a warhorse but a lowly beast of burden. Yet the colt bowed to its Creator without resistance.
When we look at this moment, we’re reminded that Jesus is Lord, even over the untamed and unprepared. He brought calm to a creature no one had ever controlled. If He could do that with a colt, then He can do that with us. Sometimes we feel unprepared, unworthy, or unqualified for what He asks of us. But if He has need of us, He will equip and enable us.
Like the owners of the colt, we may be asked to surrender something of value. May we be ready to respond willingly when we hear that “the Lord has need of it.” And like the disciples, may we obey—even when we don’t understand the full plan. We never know what part we might play in the fulfillment of God’s purposes.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, we thank You for being the humble King who came to save. You fulfilled the ancient promises, not with force, but with peace and power. We marvel at how even an unbroken colt obeyed You. Teach us to trust that if You call us, You will enable us. Help us surrender what You ask for and follow Your lead, even when we don’t always understand. In Jesus’ name, amen.