1. Luke continued by showing how Jesus rode this young donkey into Jerusalem. 2. According to Matthew 21:4-5, a prophecy made in Zechariah 9:9 was fulfilled. 3. In order for this prophecy to be fulfilled, Jesus needed something -- a young donkey. 4. The owners of this donkey are to be commended for supplying him for the Lord's use -- they were involved in God's will being carried out. 5. In our lesson we are emphasizing the point that the Lord has needs. 6. As we go through our study, let us realize that we have responsibilities in supplying the Lord's needs. 7. We learn from Luke 19:10 that Jesus came to fulfill an important mission -- "to seek and to save that which was lost." 8. To fulfill His mission, the Lord had needs, and He has needs today. Discussion: I. THE LORD'S NEEDS INCLUDED SOMEONE TO PREPARE THE WAY FOR HIM
A. John supplied that need (John 1:6-8). B. John fulfilled a prophecy made by Isaiah (Matthew 3:1-6). C. Although John was a great preacher, he "did no miracle" (John 10:41). II. THE LORD'S NEEDS INCLUDED OPPORTUNITIES TO CARRY OUT HIS OWN WORK
A. Following His baptism, Jesus "began to preach" (Matthew 4:17). B. In addition to preaching, Jesus healed people (Matthew 4:23-25; 9:35). C. Jesus had a sense of urgency in doing His work (John 9:4). D. This brings us to another of the Lord's needs. III. THE LORD'S NEEDS INCLUDED WORKERS TO HELP HIM
A. We learn from Matthew 9:36 that Jesus had not been able to reach many people, and what He saw affected Him. B. (Matthew 9:37-38) Jesus made His disciples aware of the situation. 1. The harvest was truly plenteous. 2. Unfortunately, the laborers were few. 3. Jesus instructed His disciples to pray about the situation. C. The Lord took additional steps. 1. He selected the 12 apostles (Matthew 10:1), and He sent them on the limited commission (Matthew 10:5-8). 2. We read about their return in Luke 9:10a. 3. Jesus sent 70 others (Luke 10:1-2, 9). 4. We read about their return in Luke 10:17. D. The Lord needed workers to help Him -- the apostles and the 70 supplied that need. IV. THE LORD'S NEEDS INCLUDE LABORERS WHO WILL DO HIS WORK TODAY
A. The Lord still wants to save those who are lost (2 Peter 3:9). B. An abundant harvest still exists (John 4:35). C. God will still give the increase (1 Corinthians 3:6). Conclusion:
1. God remembers the work and labor of His children (Hebrews 6:10). 2. Each child of God will "receive his own reward according to his own labor" (see 1 Corinthians 3:8).
