SIP FROM THE LIVING PORTALS... Gleanings from Matthew 21: 1-11 (Part 7). And when they came near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples on ahead, Saying to them, Go into the village that is opposite you, and at once you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her; untie [them] and bring [them] to Me. If anyone says anything to you, you shall reply, The Lord needs them, and he will let them go without delay (Matthew 21: 1-3, Amplified version). Knowing that the disciples would be challenged for daring to untie the colt and the donkey by those who tied them down or those who have been appointed to keep watch over them, Jesus decided to also tell the disciples the main purpose why He wants the animals to be untied. He told them that if anyone says anything to them, they should reply that the Lord needs the two animals and the person will understand and let them go without delay of any kind. This means that Jesus requested that the animals be untied not out of pity or so that they can wander aimlessly in the city's street, or so that they can be like other animals who were roaming around the streets. It wasn't even because Jesus was trying to protect the animal's right to freedom, as good and noble as this may be, but rather, because He has need of them. The animals were to be untied because there is need for them to meet the needs of Jesus, and such needs, which is only found in Him, can only be satisfied in His presence. This was why He asked that the donkey and the colt be brought to Him. The animals were not loosed for themselves, they were loosed for Jesus. The moment Jesus facilitated their freedom, they were to be free for Christ. He now owns them, they do not own themselves, neither do they belong to the person who tied them initially. They were not to do what they liked but rather what Jesus desired of them. In fact, those who tied them could not resist the authority of the disciples because Jesus has become the new Master of the donkey and the colt, and unto Him alone must they submit themselves. Beloved, this is a true reflection of the life of everyone who has been called by God. You have not been called for and unto yourself. You have not been called into a self-service venture. You have not been called so that you can meet your personal needs, rather, you have been called to meet the needs of God. You have been called to serve Him. As much as the service of God is always routed or channeled through the service of mankind, we must know that we are not called to serve men but God. That we are serving God through men is not enough reason to lose sight of who our Master is. No matter how great those we have been sent to is, they must not displace and take the place of the sender. You have been bought with a price (1 Corinthians 6: 20, 1 Corinthians 7: 23). Your redemption is not free or cheap. It was paid for with the very life of Christ and because of this ultimate sacrifice, He owned you. He is your Lord as much as He is your savior, and you must regard Him as such. Are you serving God where He has kept you or you are not serving yourself or the people you have been sent to? Are you meeting God's needs that necessitated your calling? I CALL YOU BLESSED! Dr. Gbenga Ajayi Twitter: @ogbajayi GRACEHOUSE Ministries For counseling, or to share your prayer issues and testimonies, please contact: +234 (0) 901 231 2451, 0906 575 2984, hello@gracehouseint.org. www.gracehouseint.org 07092021