"The Lord has need of it"

"When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples, saying, Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, "Why are you untying it? you shall say this: The Lord has need of it. So those who were sent went away and found it just as he had told them. And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, Why are you untying the colt? And they said, The Lord has need of it." Luke 19:29-34

It was custom for a religious leader or political leader in that day to request the use of animals from those around them. Certainly this is what occurred in this situation. Although there is much theological significance of the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem, what's a practical application?

Jesus' plans were being fulfilled as prophesied in the Old Testament.
(His plans are also being fulfilled in your life)

Part of those plans involved entering in a colt.
(Part of his plans involve the gifts and possessions He has given to you)

This amazing person (who raises the dead?!) requests the use of the colt.
(The Lord of Lords, King of Kings, Prince of Peace, Lamb of God, Savior and Shepherd of the sheep, and King of your heart comes to take something from you because "the Lord has need of it.")

Will/can you say "no"?

No, really, what will you do when Jesus comes knocking on the door of your heart asking "I have need of your spouse," "I have need of your children," "I have need of your hands," "I have need of your vocation," "I have need of your mind," "I have need of your house, your car, your comfortable place in life"?

Perhaps the question is, "Have you already given Jesus those things so that when He comes and asks for them, you can give them to Him joyfully?"

Jesus' salvific stance towards the self-righteous

"And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life? And Jesus said to him, Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother. And he said to him, Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth. And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me. Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions."

For the one who is self-righteous, the one who has analyzed his heart only to the extent that he can has kept the commandments outwardly, God shows his love. He still desires to save those who think they can save themselves without the help of God. "I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked" Ezekiel 33:11.

Jesus states later on after his disciples say "who then can be saved," "With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God." (10:27). The rich young man could not have sold all his possessions and followed after Christ without the power of God. The power of God had to overcome the power that money and stuff had over his life.

Don't look for that "one thing" that you need to do to save you, don't look to that "one sin" you need to mortify in order to approach the mercy seat of Christ. Look to and for the only Redeemer. He did not come to "be served, but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many." (10:45)