Iceberg Ministry

After Jericho came Jerusalem.  As Jesus came to the outskirts of Jerusalem, He knew the journey and His life on earth was about done.  Before He made what we know as His Triumphal Entry, the Word says, "...He sent two the disciples, saying, 'Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden.  Untie it and bring it here.  If anyone asks you, 'Why are you untying it?' just say this, 'The Lord has need of it.' "  (Luke 19:29 ff.)  While some might wonder about the advance preparation made by Jesus, it also raises unanswerable questions about the identity of those two disciples.  Surely the gospel writers knew their identity, but no one bothers to tell.

 

At first glance it seems like such a mundane task that anyone could do.  Go get a horse.  Nothing difficult about that task unless someone thinks they are stealing it instead of borrowing it!  Actually, it was an important task.  Those two unnamed disciples were partners with God in fulfilling a Word of prophecy first spoken by Zechariah.  (Zech. 9:9)  Jesus understood the significance of the task and the moment and so surely it was a choice not casually made.  While it would have been nice if someone had bothered to tell us their names, not knowing puts them in a long line of nameless people who have accomplished important things within the plan of God.

 

It is still happening. Think for a moment about someone who is a missionary.  That person is the tip of the ministry iceberg.  Only 10% of an iceberg is seen above water.  The rest is right there but invisible.  The missionary is seen but the prayer supporters, the financial givers, the folks who enable the work are there as well.  Invisible and nameless they may be, but still important in terms of what God is doing.  Never think that was is done for Christ is unimportant, or that it does not count.  When God gets through with it, Kingdom work is accomplished.