Reputation Matters
Was Jesus a visionary or a good planner?
After he had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. When he had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, saying, “Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs it.’” So those who were sent departed and found it as he had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?” They said, “The Lord needs it.” Then they brought it to Jesus; and after throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. As he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road. As he was now approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, saying, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!” Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, order your disciples to stop.” He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.” - Luke 19:28-40
We like to think that Jesus, like the prophets, was given inside information about what was to happen. His destiny was preordained, we say, for it was foretold in Scripture.
But there are a couple of other ways the pieces could all fall into place, right?
He could have planned well. The man with the colt may have known Jesus would send someone to fetch it, because Jesus worked it out with him beforehand.
No, you might say. He was not there ahead of time.
So, perhaps his reputation preceded him, and that was enough to get the man to comply with the request. Of course. I heard of him, and I will give him what he needs.
The same could be true of the man walking with the jug of water, who has a room for the Passover meal, coming up after this.
Word travels. People we don't even know may hear things about us and form opinions, some good, some bad.
Those who chose to believe the message of Jesus were willing to help, without being asked. Our influence extends beyond those we know, so we should, like Jesus, be willing to venture out and take a risk.
We may just be surprised how many people are willing to help.
More to come...