Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.” 4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying,

5 “Say to the daughter of Zion,
‘Behold, your king is coming to you,
    humble, and mounted on a donkey,
    on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’”

6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. 8 Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” 10 And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” 11 And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.”

Matthew 21:1-11

Have you made an essential contribution to the kingdom of God and never been recognized for it? When that happens, we could get upset about it or rejoice in our personal and private contribution to Jesus’ plan. Does the fact that your contribution was unknown make it less important? Of course not. The Scriptures tell us that God has preordained good works for us to perform in this life. So, it is apparent that God knows about your good works, whatever they may be.

I am fascinated that a person who owned a donkey and its colt, which were key to fulfilling prophecy, is unknown to us. Jesus told his disciple whom he sent to get the donkey and its colt to say to the owners, “The Lord has need of him.” He assured them that the owners would allow them to take the donkey and colt with this message. And so it happened. These details are left out of our Matthew text but are in Mark and Luke’s parallel passages.

This story has forced my sanctified imagination to go to work. Why did the owners let the donkey and colt go without security and no argument? It could be that the reputation of Jesus and anticipation that he is indeed the Messiah preceded him, and the owners figured it was Messiah who needed their donkey and colt. They were therefore disposed to allow them to go.

Since this action was a fulfillment of prophecy in Zechariah 9:9-10, it is also possible that God had communicated directly with the owners of what was to happen the following day. If so, when the disciples came for the donkey and colt, the owners weren’t surprised and allowed the animals to be taken out of obedience to the Lord.

What would have been the emotional reaction of the owners of the donkey and colt when they knew that their animals were needed by the Lord and then became integral to what we now call the Triumphal Entry of Jesus as he entered his passion. People will forever read the story about their donkey and colt without knowing who the owners were. But, the owners will forever know that they made their animals available to Jesus. I’m sure the owners didn’t know that children worldwide would participate in plays put on at Easter that would include a colt that Jesus rode.

Lending their donkey and colt to Jesus was a very little thing to them. I am sure they got their animals back after the procession in good health and unhurt. It cost them nothing. But today, as I consider this, I believe their hearts were warmed as they realized that they could participate in God’s plan by the simple act of lending their donkey and colt.

No one knows their names, and I assume they never will. Does that take away from the joy and fulfillment they felt being able to cooperate with the kingdom of God? I think not.

What is the point for us?

We all do things that we consider service to the Lord, and no one knows we did it. We aren’t on the platform at church. Our names aren’t listed in the bulletin acknowledging our contribution. Our contributions may not be the fulfillment of Biblical prophecy, but they contribute to the advancement of God’s kingdom nonetheless.

I want you to be encouraged today regarding the significance of what you do in and for the kingdom of God whether anyone else knows about it or not. Jesus knows, and he is the one who will hand out the rewards. He is the one who counts.