When Jesus and his followers approached Jerusalem, they came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives. Jesus gave two disciples a task, saying to them, “Go into the village over there. As soon as you enter it, you will find tied up there a colt that no one has ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘Its master needs it, and he will send it back right away.’”

They went and found a colt tied to a gate outside on the street, and they untied it.  Some people standing around said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?”  They told them just what Jesus said, and they left them alone.

Mark 11:1-6 , Common English Bible (C) 2011

If you were to tell the story of Jesus, where would you begin?  Birth?  Baptism?  Parables?  Miracles?  Death?  Resurrection?

For these daily Lenten reflections we begin at the Mount of Olives where Jesus directs two disciples to do something rather odd.  I imagine confusion crossing the disciples’ faces.  Unspoken questions arise: You want us to steal a colt for you?  Really?  Why?  Before they can say anything, Jesus assures them it will be fine.  ‘Its master needs it and will send it back.’

If you were one of the two disciples directed with this task, would you have any questions?  If so, what?  Would you just do it?  What task might Jesus be asking you to do today?

-Teressa Clark, 2019

Lenten Reflections 2019:  Following Jesus from the Mount of Olives to the Tomb ~ Day 1