Why Do You This? - Mark 11:3

Mark wrote when Jesus and His disciples, “came near to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sent forth two of his disciples. And said unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as you be entered into it, you shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him”, and in chapter eleven and verse three of his book, Mark shared how Jesus told them what to say, “if any man say unto you, why do you this?” where we read:

And if any man say unto you, Why do you this?

say you that the Lord has need of him; and straightway he will send him hither.

The verse reads, “And if any man say unto you, Why do you this?” Mark began with the words, “and if any man” which means “and whether a certain one male or female” “say unto you” or “utter, declare, proclaim to or ask the two disciples”, “why do you this” which means “for what reason and cause are you untying the young donkey”? Mark shared how Jesus instructed His “two disciples” what they were to do if someone asked why they were untying the donkey.

The verse continues, “say you that the Lord has need of him; and straightway he will send him hither.” Mark added the words, “say you” which means “the two disciples were to utter, declare and proclaim” “that the Lord” or “because the One to whom the donkey belongs, has the power of deciding and the title given to God the Messiah” “has need of him” which means “requires, wants and has business with the young donkey”; “and straightway” or “and immediately and forthwith” “he will send him hither” which means “the person who oversees the young donkey will deliver him to where Jesus is”. Mark shared how Jesus told His “two disciples” to tell the one who asks them what they are doing that He “needs” the young donkey and the man will allow the “donkey” to be delivered to Him.

When we meditate upon Mark's words in this verse, we see how Jesus knew exactly what would happen when His “two disciples” attempted to “untie” the young donkey. Jesus perceived that someone would ask them what they were doing, and He told His disciples what to say. As soon as they answered the man who questioned them “the Lord has need of him”, the man complied. We do not know exactly how this worked, but suffice it to know that Jesus was to fulfill scripture (See Zechariah 9:9) and this donkey was to be used by Him. God had His plan for the salvation of mankind through His Son Jesus, and a portion of the way God would demonstrate that His Son Jesus is the Messiah included the use of this “young donkey”. Details were worthy to be followed by Jesus, and when a person considers all of the prophesies concerning the Messiah, they shall find Jesus to be the “Savior and Lord” of the world.

Next time Mark shares how Jesus' disciples, “went their way, and found the cold tied by the door without in a place where two ways met” , so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".