The Lord Has Need of You: Understanding Our Purpose in God's Plan

During Palm Sunday, we encountered a powerful phrase that resonates deeply with our Christian walk: "The Lord has need of it." This simple statement, found in Luke 19:30, carries profound implications for how we should view our purpose and relationship with God.

What Does "The Lord Has Need of It" Mean?

When Jesus sent His disciples to retrieve a donkey for His triumphant entry into Jerusalem, He instructed them to simply say, "The Lord has need of it" if anyone questioned them. This phrase obviously isn't just about a donkey - it's about surrender and availability to God's purposes.

Does God Really Need Us?

While God (the Creator and Lord of the Universe) doesn't technically need anything from us to accomplish His purposes, He chooses to involve us in His work! As Thomas Aquinas explained, God desires to draw us into His work, giving us the privilege of participating in His divine plan!

How Does This Change Our Perspective?

Understanding that "the Lord has need of us" revolutionizes how we view:

  • Our talents and abilities

  • Our careers and vocations

  • Our resources and gifts

  • Our entire life purpose

What Does it Mean to Be "Untied" for God's Service?

Just as the donkey was untied for Christ's service, we too need to be:

  • Freed from worldly attachments

  • Released from our own projects and plans

  • Liberated from pride, power, and status

  • Unbound from self-centered living

How Does This Apply to Our Daily Lives?

Harkening to Galatians 2:20, we talked on Sunday about how every baptized believer is now “marked as Christ’s own forever." This means:

  • Our lives don't belong to us anymore

  • Our gifts are meant for God's glory

  • Our purpose is found in serving others

  • Our entire existence is about His kingdom

Life Application

This week, consider these challenging questions:

  • What areas of your life are you still holding back from God's purposes?

  • How can you use your specific gifts and talents for God's kingdom?

  • Who around you needs to be "untied" from worldly attachments?

Take action by:

  • Identifying one gift or talent you can deliberately use for God's purposes this week

  • Looking for opportunities to serve others rather than pursuing your own projects

  • Surrendering control of your plans and asking God how He wants to use you

Remember Christian: You are not your own - you have been bought with a price and marked as Christ’s own forever. The Lord has need of you exactly where you are, with exactly what you have to offer.

Blessings,

Travis +

Travis Abercrombie