Untie It

As we step into Holy Week, we begin with Palm Sunday, the day that marks Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. It’s a moment of celebration and anticipation—a time when crowds joyfully welcomed Jesus, not yet fully understanding the depth of what was to come. Though the resurrection brings the ultimate joy, Palm Sunday stands as a powerful reminder of purpose, surrender, and praise.

The Triumphal Entry

In Luke 19:30–40, Jesus gives specific instructions to His disciples: “Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it.’”

The disciples found the colt exactly as Jesus described. The owners asked why they were untying it, and the disciples responded, “The Lord needs it.” Without hesitation, the owners released the colt. Jesus then rode into Jerusalem, with crowds spreading their cloaks and praising God, shouting: “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

Some Pharisees, uncomfortable with the public praise, told Jesus to silence His followers. His response was clear: “I tell you, if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”

The Donkey That Carried a King

Throughout Scripture, donkeys have played significant roles. Balaam’s donkey spoke. Mary rode a donkey to Bethlehem, and another carried her family to Egypt to escape Herod. Now, a donkey was chosen to carry Jesus into Jerusalem. This donkey was created for a purpose. But it was tied—until someone obeyed and untied it.

Luke emphasizes the act of untying for a reason. Many of us are also tied—held back by guilt, anxiety, unforgiveness, addiction, distractions, or misplaced priorities. Like the colt, what we have is meant for the Lord's use, but it must first be untied.

The Lord Needs It

The owners of the donkey responded simply because “the Lord needs it.” That was reason enough.

We, too, are called to untie what we’ve bound—our time, our talents, our resources, even our attitudes. Often, we say things like:

• "I cannot untie this.”
• “I cannot give this to God.”
• “I cannot be used right now.”

But as followers of Christ, we must ensure there are no “nots” in our ropes. God has given us gifts, talents, and resources—not to remain tied up, but to be released and used in service of His Kingdom. Obedience is the beginning of following Jesus. Like the donkey's owner, we must be willing to release what He asks for.

Uncontainable Praise

As Jesus entered the city, the people broke into praise. They had seen His miracles and could not hold back. Their joy made the Pharisees uncomfortable. As long as people were quiet, the religious leaders were content. But the moment they began to praise and declare Jesus as King, the opposition arose.

In life, the same dynamic often plays out. People may be fine with your walk until your worship becomes public. The enemy will try to silence you when your praise becomes a declaration of who Jesus is in your life. But Jesus reminds us: if we stay silent, even the stones will cry out.

Childlike Faith and Bold Worship

Childlike faith doesn’t worry about being silenced. Like a child eager to share their day—unable to hold in the excitement—our hearts should overflow with praise. When was the last time your worship felt like that? When you couldn’t contain your gratitude for all God has done?

Even in dark seasons, praise is still possible. Especially in hard times, we are called to dig deep and worship. The enemy wants us to believe we have no voice or no worth. But we were made to praise, and no stone should outpraise us.

This Palm Sunday...

Untie what’s been holding you back. Offer your time, your gifts, your praise—whatever the Lord asks—freely and joyfully. As we walk into Holy Week, may we not only remember Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem but also prepare room in our lives for His presence, His purpose, and His glory.