”And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him.” Mark 11:2
What do you know about “un-broken” animals? Being in Wyoming, we have plenty of exposure to this. Real cowboys still ride the range, herds of wild horses roam free, and rodeos are abundant. And just what is the thrill of bronc riding, anyway? It is understood that this wild animal will give plenty of bone-jarring, boot-jerkin’ fight–and some poor soul is going to hand on for dear life just as long as he can…and hopefully outlast everyone else. We never expect the animal to submit to the rider, or there would be no event!
A cowboy preacher friend of ours recently cited this passage in Mark, stating how remarkable it was that Christ should seat Himself on a young, un-broken animal. This creature submitted to the weight of the Master, immediately. His will was gentled simply by the Lord’s presence. We know a pastor in Utah who raises endurance race horses, and uses this concept as an illustration. He chooses the term, “to gentle” instead of “to break”–his point being that you do not want to break an animal’s spirit, you simply want it to choose to yield the control of its will. In the same way, our obedience to to the Lord is so much sweeter to Him when it is given freely. Similarly, I love it when my children obey without my having to hound them, prod them, coerce them, (squirm) bribe them…when they choose to do what is pleasing to me, even against their own will.
Are you being “gentled” by the Lord? Perhaps it is through trial, hardship, heartache…through a slight to the pride, through poverty or physical pain…
- Ps 34:18 -The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
- Ps 51:17 – The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
- Isa 57:15 – For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
- Isa 66:2 -For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contritespirit, and trembleth at my word.
Is He working with you now? When a horse is gentled, it is often removed to a separate paddock so it will become “lonely” and choose to socialize with the trainer…to learn the sound of his voice, the purpose of his touch:
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matt. 11:28-30
Do you see the parallel? You are not alone in your struggle. Don’t jerk your head away–He wants you to look into His face. Don’t rear up–He wants to steady and calm your heart. Don’t buck and stamp your feet–He wants to bless you as you choose to give Him your will. Don’t balk at the trials–He wants to teach you His ways and lead you through them. Let Him come by your side. Take the bit…it is sweet under the perfect guidance of the Master’s hand.
