As the Easter season approaches, we will hear many lessons on what has been called the triumphal entry of our Lord. However, I would like to focus for a moment on one question. Why did Jesus leave the temple and go to Bethany? Now, please don’t assume that His reasoning makes no real difference, because I think it does. Actually, it might have some rather strong implications for our lives.
Jesus is in a processional heading into the city. They are placing palm branches in His pathway, and He is riding on a borrowed colt. People are surrounding Him. They are shouting their hosannas. They are all excited as they roll out what we might call the “red carpet.” Something big is happening. Jesus is an honored guest… at least for a while.
As Jesus rides into Jerusalem, He seems to head straight for the temple. Yet, He apparently only stays for a few minutes, and then He looks around and quickly departs. He does not preach or teach. He works no miracles. He just leaves and goes back to Bethany. This is a somewhat of a quiet and strange ending to an exciting day. Why did He even bother to go into the temple? Is He retreating? Was He frightened? In His humanity is He less confident than He was when He first entered the city? Did Jesus have somewhere else He needed to be? Perhaps He just wanted some alone time? We’ve all needed solitude on occasion, especially when we are facing an emotional and trying time. We sometimes have to back up and try again. Could that be what His leaving the temple is all about?
We need to understand that Jesus actually came into Jerusalem on three separate days and each Gospel seems to focus more attention to one of those days. Mark tells us about His first visit to Jerusalem and His visit to Bethany in the evening. The next day He would return to Jerusalem for a second time. That’s when He cursed the fig tree and cleansed the temple. (Mark 11:12-19) Then on His third visit, He offers His lesson on prayer and has a discourse with the religious leaders in the temple (Mark 11: 20-33)
Mark is the only writer that says Jesus entered the temple on that first day after His triumphal entry, looked around, and left. So why did Jesus leave the temple and go to Bethany? The Gospel gives us one reason. Jesus left the temple because it was getting late; “the eventide was come” (Mark 11:11).So is that the answer? Is it just a matter of the lateness of the hour? Still I cannot help but wonder what was the rush? What might Jesus be late for? Since the triumphal entry is such an important event, there must be more here than casually meets the eye. Perhaps Mark gives us some additional insight as the disciples obtained the colt.
“And if any man say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye that the Lord hath need of him; and straightway he will send him hither.”
Mark 11:3
Was Jesus simply thinking about honoring a promise to the owner of the colt? That is something that only Mark tells us. All the writers agree that the colt was borrowed from its owner. But only Mark tells us that Jesus made a specific promise for its timely return. Jesus sent two disciples to borrow this colt and told them if anyone asked why they were taking the colt they were to say, “The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.” And that’s what they did.
Maybe while we search for deep theological meaning, the simple truth is that Jesus left so He could keep His promise. Maybe this is about Jesus being true to Himself and keeping His word. What if this is about Jesus staying focused on fulfilling a simple promise in the midst of a week where He would fulfill many complex promises? What if this is about maintaining character in spite of the pressures the coming week holds for Him? What if returning the colt is a lesson for us as we enter into the Easter season? What insight might returning the colt have for us?
First, it speaks of being true to our word. If you say you’re going to do something, you do it. Even in tough and trying times, you meet your commitments and obligations. Perhaps you are too sick to meet them or maybe there are other hindrances; but to the extent possible nothing should keep you from meeting obligations. I’m sorry, but having a tough week doesn’t qualify. I waste many hours each week waiting for phone calls that don’t come, or appointments that don’t show up, or people who decide not to meet obligations they have made. Excuses abound: I forgot, I got busy; I changed my mind, etc. Good grief!
Second, it speaks of the responsibility of the borrower. You return, in good shape—or in better shape—if you can, what you have borrowed. Borrow a car, fill it up with gas. Borrow a tool; return it cleaner and sharper than it was when you borrowed it. Borrow a book, a CD or a DVD; return it when you are finished.
Third, it speaks of releasing things we don’t need anymore. Are there things you need to release or let go of? We all have stuff we’ve carried around with us far too long. It’s no longer an asset nor does it enrich our lives. It’s just the baggage we carry that continues to weigh us down and impoverish our lives.
What do you need to release? Is it a grudge or resentment? Could it be anger, fear, disappointment, envy, or regret? Maybe it’s time to give up the baggage of having to be in control, having to be right, or needing constant approval or confirmation. These are things that serve you no purpose and should be released to God.
Fourth, it speaks about maintaining our true character. Adversity can change us. If the change is good and if it conforms us more to the image of Christ, then the change can be positive. Yet, all too often adversity makes us bitter. It throws us out of balance and off-center. Perhaps this story reminds us to keep a check on our character, and if we find ourselves wavering from the person our Lord wants us to be, we need to get back in alignment. Maybe this lesson is a reminder to return to our center. What if it’s about reclaiming our truest self so we could then move forward, not from the same old place, but from the newly recovered center? That’s what Jesus did. He stayed true to Himself through this difficult week, and so must we. So maybe returning the colt is ultimately about getting back to our true character—our true self—a reborn self of honor and integrity that God created in us when we became His?
What if it is about returning to and reclaiming those parts of ourselves that have been lost, ignored, forgotten, or denied? Are there are parts of ourselves and our lives to which we need to return? “I used to be a loving husband, but I know I don’t act that way much anymore.” “I used to be a loving and supportive wife, but I doubt my husband sees those qualities much anymore.” “I had determined to be a firm, but loving and tender parent, but my children rarely see that quality in me today.” Is it time to put things back where they belong? What positive changes could be made if we returned to our true selves?
When we release the baggage that is dragging us down, we may very well find in its place something that was lost. There in that place of honest reckoning we might find our lost joy, hope, beauty, truth and honesty. We might also find justice, mercy, and forgiveness. What if we also found the dignity and holiness of life that God has for us? Coming back to ourselves would be like a new life, wouldn’t it?
So, return the colt. That’s what Jesus did. It’s not so much just looking around at everything outside us but looking around at everything within us. Look at what promises need to be kept, what responsibilities need to be reclaimed, what baggage needs to be loosed, and what lost character needs to be regained.
Dr. Worthington has been in the ministry over forty years and serves as President of Pathway Ministries.