Kingdom Principles

Kingdom Principles

One familiar story about Jesus drives this point home. Only a week before His death, Jesus was preparing to enter Jerusalem, but He intended to do it in a very specific way. As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of His disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just 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 doing this?’ tell him, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’” They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, some people standing there asked, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go (Mark 11:1-6). In this story, Jesus acted in His authority as Lord. There is no indication that He had prearranged this with the owner of the colt or that He asked anyone’s permission. As Lord of all, He owned the colt anyway. Jesus just told His disciples, “Bring me the colt.” When challenged, all the disciples had to say was, “The Lord needs it.” That was all it took; the owners released the colt. In those days, animals such as that colt were valuable commodi ties as beasts of burden and as transportation. They were like a car is to us today. So untying that colt was no small matter. The modern day equivalent would be as if Jesus had said, “Go down to the corner, where you will find a brand-new silver Mercedes sport coupe. The keys are already in it. Bring it here to me.” In the end, one word from the Owner of the colt was all that was necessary. The manager/stew ard of the colt let it go. Another New Testament passage also presents Jesus clearly as Lord of all. It is found in a letter written by Paul, the Kingdom of

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