The Unknown Ones weren’t Unknown to Jesus, 2023 Lenten Blog Post #7

 

As Jesus and his disciples approachedJerusalem, they came to the towns of Bethphage and Bethany on the Mount ofOlives. Jesus sent two of them on ahead. “Go into that village over there,” hetold them. “As soon as you enter it, you will see a young donkey tied therethat no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks, ‘Whatare you doing?’ just say, ‘The Lord needs it and will return it soon.’”

The two disciples left and found the coltstanding in the street, tied outside the front door. As they were untying it,some bystanders demanded, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” They saidwhat Jesus had told them to say, and they were permitted to take it. Then theybrought the colt to Jesus and threw their garments over it, and he sat on it. (Mark11:1-7, New Living Translation) 

Todayis Palm Sunday, and we probably all know the story of the triumphant return ofJesus to Jerusalem. But during Lent this year, I’ve been blogging about Jesus’twelve disciples. I’ve already written about John, James, Andrew, and Matthewand have plans to talk about Peter and the infamous Judas Iscariot nextweekend. Oh, and we all remember Doubting Thomas. But what about the other five?Were two of them the ones called to bring the young donkey to Jesus?  

Philip,Bartholomew (who also might be known as Nathanael), James (the other James, sonof Alphaeus), Thaddeus (also known at Jude or another Judas) and Simon theZealot. With all the name possibilities for these guys, it’s no wonder there isso little known about them.

Then he got into a boat and started acrossthe lake with his disciples. Suddenly a terrible storm came up, with waveshigher than the boat. But Jesus was asleep.

            The disciples went to him andwakened him, shouting, “Lord, save us! We’re sinking!”

            But Jesus answered, “O you men oflittle faith! Why are you so frightened?” Then he stood up and rebuked the windand waves, and the storm subsided and all was calm.

The disciples just sat there, awed! “Whois this,” they asked themselves, “that even the winds and the sea obey him?” (Matthew8:23-27, Living Bible)

Ibelieve that Jesus called each of these men for a specific reason. And even if someof them aren’t identified by name in what they do and say, they each have theirplace in the teachings of Jesus.

Also,Jesus knew each of their names and everything else about them. Just like Heknows your name and everything about you. Don’t ever think that you or yourname is insignificant to Jesus. Everything about you is special to Him.