After telling this story, Jesus went on toward Jerusalem, walking ahead of His disciples. As He came to the towns of Bethphage and Bethany on the Mount of Olives, He sent two disciples ahead. “Go into that village over there,”He told them.”As you enter it, you will see a young donkey tied there that no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks, ‘Why are you untying that colt?’ just say, ‘The Lord needs it.'”
So they went and found the colt, just as Jesus had said. And sure enough, as they were untying it, the owners asked them, “Why are you untying that colt?” And the disciples simply replied, “The Lord needs it.” So they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their garments over it for Him to ride on.
Luke 19:28-35
Some of you have made me smile as you have responded to the last Gem I sent. It seems a number of you were surprised. Firstly, by the fact I gave you some answers and secondly, because I then closed the Gem by handing the ball back you to come up with your own conclusions. Some of you have asked if I would give you the answers in this Gem. Simply put; no. I believe I have explained enough of the Parable of the Pounds for you to come up with your own perspective on it. What I would suggest you do, is to give the parable a better name than the Parable of the Pounds. One that helps our understanding as to what the parable is about. I wondered about calling it a new name but then concluded it would have given you a clue to what it was about, and I wanted you to grapple with it for yourself. Now is the time for you to name it in retrospect. Send your choices to me; maybe we can make it a competition and I will announce the winner.
Now we start another new pericope and it is clear that it is separated from what has gone before it. So I am giving you the chance to see what you make of it before I start pulling it apart. Apply all you know to do to this passage before tomorrow. Pay attention to all the detail you can. Remember to look in every direction and under every rock. Mercifully, this is a shorter passage so it makes your task easier. We have been looking at several long passages recently, or if not long, then involved.
Do what you can with it before I start to work on the pieces. Once again, if you don’t have time to do anything, then store it in a folder for the “Gems on Luke” and work on it when you can. I am writing these Gems to exemplify the principles that I teach in Deeper Bible. You learn the most when you DO, not by just hearing only. We will look more at it tomorrow. Have fun. See you at ‘Hire Mule‘ in Bethphage in the morning. Take note: That’s not ‘Hire Pool’ but ‘Hire Mule‘. Don’t go to the wrong one.
If you are not willing to learn, no one can help you. If you are determined to learn, no one can stop you.
Anon
A winner knows how much he still has to learn even when he is considered an expert.
Anon
A loser wants to be considered an expert before he has learned enough to know how little he knows.
Anon
Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.
Benjamin Franklin