He Sent Two

Invitation to Prayer
The capacity to see God working on our workplace, which he most certainly is doing, and to respond in astonished wonder requires some detachment from the workplace. How do we cultivate that detachment? Keep the Sabbath. We cannot understand the character or significance of Sabbath apart from work and the workplace. Sabbath and work are not in opposition. Sabbath and work are part of an organic whole – either one apart from the other is maimed and crippled (Eugene H. Peterson, Living the Resurrection, 42-43).

The Psalm (Psalm 113:1-4)
Praise the LORD.
Praise, O servants of the LORD,
praise the name of the LORD.

2 Let the name of the LORD be praised,
both now and forevermore.

3 From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets,
the name of the LORD is to be praised.

4 The LORD is exalted over all the nations,
his glory above the heavens.

The Scripture Reading (Luke 19:28-31)
After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, 'Why are you untying it?' tell him, 'The Lord needs it.' " Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them.

For Reflection
Earlier in his ministry Jesus had sent his disciples out in twos (Luke 10:1ff.). They were sent to proclaim God’s Kingdom and heal the sick; it was powerful and thrilling work. Each pair reported unusual spiritual power to which even demons submitted. Now, approaching Jerusalem, Jesus sends two to retrieve an obscure colt from a no-name owner. And even in this meager task, the authority and power of Jesus is at work. Jesus works through tasks both great and small.

Do you realize that you go into this day as one sent? How will the power of Jesus be at work through you?

Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus, I often assume that you work in ways that are spiritual and dramatic – healing disease or bringing someone to faith in you. But you send us to do all things in your name: returning phone calls and retrieving a colt can be sacred work. Work through me in all I do this day. Amen.