Mark 11:1

As Jesus and his disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to the towns of Bethphage and Bethany on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of them on ahead.

Jesus lived most of his life in the Galilee region, which was about a four-day journey north of Jerusalem. Nevertheless, he paid many visits to Jerusalem and had some good friends in the area. His particular friends were Mary, Martha and Lazarus, who lived in Bethany, just outside the city. In one of his visits there, he had clearly prepared the ground for his final triumphal entry into Jerusalem, so he was able to send two of his disciples on ahead to get hold of a donkey with the instruction that if the owner asked why they were taking it, they were to say that the master needed it and would return it soon.

Jesus had prepared the way for this decisive journey to Jerusalem, and that was an important principle for the disciples to remember in the years to come. When they went on their missionary journeys around the world, they needed to know that the Lord had gone ahead of them. His Spirit had prepared the way. As they headed out in search of the donkey, the disciples simply had to have faith in their master. Sure enough, it worked out exactly as Jesus had promised.

Whenever we set off to do God’s work, it is just the same. As we go forward in obedience to him, we will find that he has prepared the way. At the moment, I’m working with a church on a new venture and we are facing lots of questions about how it will work out. I need to keep reminding myself of this fundamental truth that Jesus has already prepared the way.

It's significant that Jesus sent two disciples on this mission. He had done the same in chapter six, sending out his twelve disciples two by two. This is an important and encouraging reminder that the Lord does not send us out on a solitary journey but on one in which we have a relationship of support and shared faith.

Question

In what ways have you seen the Lord going ahead of you to prepare the way?

Prayer

Lord God, help me to trust you and to listen carefully to you as I live for you each day. Amen