Today’s Community Scripture – 4/7/2025

 After saying these things, Jesus headed straight up to Jerusalem. When he got near Bethphage and Bethany at the mountain called Olives, he sent off two of the disciples with instructions: “Go to the village across from you. As soon as you enter, you’ll find a colt tethered, one that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it. If anyone says anything, asks, ‘What are you doing?’ say, ‘His Master needs him.’ ” The two left and found it just as he said. As they were untying the colt, its owners said, “What are you doing untying the colt?” They said, “His Master needs him.” They brought the colt to Jesus. Then, throwing their coats on its back, they helped Jesus get on. As he rode, the people gave him a grand welcome, throwing their coats on the street. Right at the crest, where Mount Olives begins its descent, the whole crowd of disciples burst into enthusiastic praise over all the mighty works they had witnessed: Blessed is he who comes, the king in God’s name! All’s well in heaven! Glory in the high places! Some Pharisees from the crowd told him, “Teacher, get your disciples under control!” But he said, “If they kept quiet, the stones would do it for them, shouting praise.”

                         Luke 19:28–40 (MSG)

Key Verse – “Go to the village across from you. As soon as you enter, you’ll find a colt tethered, one that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it. Luke 19:30 (MSG)

– Reflection:

               GOD’s Personal Visit

Sometimes the first step is the hardest. The first step towards action, the first step towards something new, the first step into the unknown. When was a time you took a step of faith, and what was that first step like for you? It was tough to trust in starting something new for a community that I didn’t think would embrace what we were trying to do. Almost five years have passed, and we feel a part of the sports community and the neighboring communities around us. So what I worried about, God wasn’t. It is time to begin adding to what we started, and the anxiety is building again, but knowing how the first opening went, I have no doubt the next installments will unfold just as He planned them.

The passage is about Jesus making His final appearance in Jerusalem. The curtain is closing on the snow folks. He tells two of His followers to go and get the colt tied to a post and what to do when someone asks what they are doing. He is sharing with them, just like the messages He gives us today if we are listening. He’s telling us what to do as well. I bet those guys were probably scared going to get a colt they had no money for, following a word from their friend. That’s what it’s like for me when I’m told to start helping the youth through sport. Beginning to write these posts was all frightening to me, but I had to trust that I am and will continue to do the work that has been placed in my path.

– Where do we go from here?

I know I’ve felt tugs and pulls on my heart to take action just as I explained above, but I was afraid to respond. Have you? What does it look like to respond in faith when we hear the call, “The Lord needs it?” Perhaps we will never see the fruit of our actions, and perhaps we won’t know how it all fits together. But I do know that after we take that first step, responding to those tugs and whispers becomes easier and more natural each time. Where are you feeling that tug today? May you take that first step in faith, for the Lord needs it!

– Our Prayer for Today

Father, thank you very much for including us in your work in the world. Open our hearts and ears to your whispers, guiding us to step out in faith. Grant us the courage and strength to respond faithfully. Amen.