God’s Hope for Your Heart from Mark 11

JESUS WILL TAKE CARE OF THE RESULTS

Now when they drew near to Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately as you enter it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it. If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord has need of it and will send it back here immediately.'”
And they went away and found a colt tied at a door outside in the street, and they untied it.  And some of those standing there said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” And they told them what Jesus had said, and they let them go.  (Mark 11:1-6)

Imagine the surprise of the disciples as they received a very unusual command from Jesus.  It’s not every day that your teacher tells you to go and “borrow” someone else’s property without permission.

Imagine their nervousness untying the colt, probably looking this way and that, wondering if someone was going to challenge them.

Then they hear it: “What are you doing, untying the colt?”

Imagine their hearts pounding, their mouths dry with anxiety as they replied with the simple phrase Jesus told them to say, hoping and praying it would be enough to keep them from being chased off in embarrassment at best, and taken to the authorities at worst.

“The Lord has need of it and will send it back here immediately.”

…

And the owner of the animal sends them on their way with the colt.

Faith is not the same as belief.  Belief says, “Yes, Jesus, I’m sure that IF we were to go take someone’s colt, they would let us do it if they knew it was for you.”  Faith starts untying the animal.

Belief says, “Yes, Jesus, I’m sure that IF I were to offer to pray for that person or tell them about You, they wouldn’t mind too much.”  Faith starts the conversation.

Faith is acting on what you say you believe.

Here’s the beautiful thing about acting on what Jesus says.  He’s already prepared the way for you!

As you take confident action today on the things God has called you to do, remember this.  All you have to do is obey, and walk in the hope that comes from this truth: Jesus will take care of the results.

-Pastor Phillip

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