Wednesday, February 22, 2023 – Ash Wednesday/Lent One – Bystanders at the Cross

When they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples and said to them, ‘Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden; untie it and bring it. If anyone says to you, “Why are you doing this?” just say this, “The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.”’  They went away and found a colt tied near a door, outside in the street. As they were untying it, some of the bystanders said to them, ‘What are you doing, untying the colt?’ They told them what Jesus had said; and they allowed them to take it. Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it; and he sat on it. (Mark 11: 1 -7 New Living Translation)

                 Really, we are all bystanders when it comes to following Jesus to the Cross. It hits us and may include us in different ways but it is a journey which Jesus must carry out on his own. We watch and we react and feel powerless and yet there is nothing we can do now or would have done if we had actually been there. We are bystanders, rubberneckers, part of the crowds who are drawn to scenes of catastrophe and failure. We have little choice but to watch and wonder and tremble as we witness Jesus’ journey to the Cross. “Bystanders” – this year’s Lenten theme – looks at some of the scriptural bystanders in the Passion Story, people who get drawn into the Story, and become a part of the Story.  A lot like us.

                We begin with the owner of the colt, a donkey, which Jesus was requesting for his ride into Jerusalem. There seem to be some cloak and dagger to the scene. Jesus knew a lot about the donkey. Perhaps he knew its owner, had spoken to him, told him prior to his ride that he would need the donkey. Whatever, he knew that he needed this particular donkey for his purpose. The owner – we don’t know if he was follower or not - seemed to be willing to help and allowed the disciples to take the animal.

                As we go about our daily routines and business, we may encounter a time in which Jesus needs something from us. It may be an unusual or curious request.  It may require our immediate attention or interrupt our schedules.  We may not want to be involved in whatever Jesus is doing. We may need the required time, the required asset, the required possession for ourselves.  After all, it is yours or mine, not his, and so, we are reluctant to just give it up or give it away for nothing.

                Did the owner even watch the procession of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem and boast a little to himself and to his friends, “Hey. That is my donkey. Jesus is riding on my donkey.”  If he was wanting credit, we don’t know his name or his reward. We know more about the donkey, actually.

                Jesus wants something from us, our time, treasures, talent, gifts. We might tend to ask what is in it for you or me. Sometimes, our reward and satisfaction is merely in the quiet satisfaction that we have served the Lord.  And that is okay!  No fame. No glory. No profit. This parade is about Jesus, not about you or me, anyway.

                There are other bystanders in the story, the ones who challenge the disciples’ taking of the donkey. “What are you doing, untying the colt?” Perhaps they were only looking out for their neighbour’s possessions. But it reminds me that outsiders, looking in, don’t always understand, at first, why we serve Jesus the way we do. It may seem odd to others what Jesus expects from us. It may be an intrusion into their comfort zones when someone acts out of faith, obedience and trust. But we should not let others’ opinions deter us from serving Christ in whatever manner he has asked of us.

                If the Lord wants a donkey like me, then that’s what he gets. I don’t care what others think or say. If Jesus is willing to humble himself on that donkey, then I am willing to give him my best.

                Get on board, Jesus!

Dale