At least, that might be how we read it. There are some things in the Gospels, recording what Jesus said or did, that at first read might come across as no big deal. But seeing as the Gospel writer (under the direction of the divine Spirit) chose to write what he did, he must have thought it mattered. So, what at first might seem like no big deal, might really matter in some notable way . . . if we only pay attention.

I have thought that way about the prelude to Jesus’ “triumphal entry” as recorded by Mark. Jesus is making his way to Jerusalem. He has told his closest friends and followers that he will be going to Jerusalem, that he will be handed over to the authorities, and that he will be put to death. Pretty troubling, pretty startling stuff. And still Jesus is making his way to the city.

What happens as they approach the city? Jesus sends a few on a short errand. He tells them:

Go into the village opposite you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, on which no one yet has ever sat; untie it and bring it here. If anyone says to you, “Why are you doing this?” you say, “The Lord has need of it”; and immediately he will send it back here. (Mark 11:2-3)

And what do they discover when these two on-assignment disciples get into town?

They found what Jesus told them they would find. They are questioned by a bystander as Jesus said they might. They replied just as Jesus told them to reply. And they were allowed to take the colt just as Jesus had explained.

But this doesn’t really compare to changing water into wine or walking on water or healing a blind man or raising a dead man! This is hardly the kind of reputation building miracle that Jesus has been known to do. So why do this? Why send the two? Why did Jesus not just go himself, get on the colt, and ride into town? It’s not big deal! It seems like a whole lot of trouble for such a small thing . . . or does it?

Think about what it must have been like for these two who went. They enter a town neighboring Jerusalem. Things would have been chaotic and busy; this is festival time in Jerusalem and its surroundign districts. Lots of activity. Lots of people. What do you think the two discussed as they headed out on their excursion? Perhaps . . .

How will we ever find a single un-ridden colt in this kind of chaos?

What is the chance of us coming across an unused colt at this busy time?

When we find the animal, do you really think the owner will just let us walk away with it?

But what they do find is exactly what Jesus tells them they would find. And the only ones who are in on what is going on are the disciples, the closest friends and followers of Jesus. And this means that what happened must have been, to some degree, for their benefit.

So, what does it all mean? Why does Jesus do this?

Maybe there is a subtle, but critical, message in this assignment. Walking back with the colt in tow, what might those two have been thinking? When they get back to their companions, what would they have said? Maybe . . .

Everything happened just like Jesus said it would!

That’s right! That’s absolutely right. Everything, down to the small details, happened exactly as Jesus said it would. As his disciples are being prepared for his impending betrayal, trial, crucifixion, death, and resurrection, they need to be reassured that everything is going to happen exactly as Jesus said it would. 

Sure, on the surface, it might look like it was no big deal . . . the “big deal” (his death and resurrection) were on the horizon. But to hold on to Jesus’ words when confronted with the trauma of his death, they needed to be reminded of the truthfulness of all that he said. So, a “little deal” to remind them . . . so that they could endure the big deal of his death and anticipate the big deal of his resurrection.

How kind of Jesus. What a great teacher and friend. He gave them a “little deal” so that they would be better prepared for the bigger deal coming.

And, maybe, he does the same with us.

I wonder, am I paying attention? Are you paying attention? What Jesus is doing in your day, today, right now, might seem like “no big deal.” But no lesson he is teaching is anything less than life changing, nothing short of essential, if we only would pay attention.