As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?” They replied, “The Lord needs it.”
Luke 19:33-34
God's greatest works often happen through people whose names we'll never know. All through the Bible, God uses unnamed people to do big things. Think about the person who owned the colt Jesus rode into Jerusalem. We don't know their name, but their quick "yes" to God helped fulfill an ancient promise. Without this person's willing heart, Palm Sunday might never have happened as it did.
The Kingdom of Heaven works differently than our fame-hungry world. We live in a time when people count likes and followers. I laugh at myself sometimes when I check to see who liked my posts (please like and subscribe). But God's way is different. He often picks people who get no credit at all. The servant girl who told Naaman where to find healing, the boy who shared his lunch so Jesus could feed thousands, the donkey owner who let Jesus borrow a colt—none of them got named, but all were key parts of God's story.
What makes these hidden helpers unique is how they say yes without needing praise. They didn't ask, "What's in it for me?" or "Will people know I helped?" They didn't ask for recognition or demand attention. Instead, they embodied true servanthood - giving freely without expectation of reward. These quiet heroes understood that the value of service isn't measured by applause but by faithfulness. When asked to help, they didn't negotiate terms or seek guarantees. They responded with willing hearts, knowing God's purposes are more significant than personal recognition.
The colt owner in our story shows tremendous trust with a quick response. When the disciples came with their odd request, there was no "let me think about it" or "I need to ask my spouse." The Bible uses a special word here—"immediately." Like that, they let the disciples take something valuable with only the words, "The Lord needs it." No papers to sign, and no return date promised. Just trust.
What's really cool is that this person had no idea they were helping fulfill a prophecy from long ago. They couldn't have known they were part of Zechariah 9:9 coming true or that their ordinary animal would carry Jesus as He declared Himself King. They simply heard, "The Lord needs it," and said yes. God still works this way—asking regular people to play parts in His fantastic plan without showing them the whole script.
Your biggest impact on God might be something no one will ever write about. The prayer you said for a friend in need, the lunch you bought for a homeless person, and the money you gave when no one was looking might be the things God uses to change someone's life forever. In 1858, a Sunday school teacher named Edward Kimball visited a shoe store to talk about faith to one of his students. That student was Dwight L. Moody, who later became one of the most influential evangelists of the 19th century. Kimball's simple act of concern sparked a chain reaction that impacted millions.
When we serve without wanting attention, our hearts stay pure. Let's be honest—it feels good when people notice our hard work. But Jesus warned about doing good deeds just to be seen (Matthew 6:1). He said our Father, who sees what’s done in secret, will reward us. This nameless donkey owner shows us that making a difference isn't about getting credit—it's about saying yes when God asks for something we have.
Your faithfulness matters more than you know, even when no one notices. Think about it—Jesus could have told us this person's name, but He didn't. That wasn't a mistake. It shows us something about what God values. Sometimes, our biggest acts of faith are the ones nobody sees. Elisabeth Elliot once wrote, "The servant who serves without recognition serves for the right reason." This teaches us that our highest goal isn't to become well-known but to make Jesus famous, even if we stay in the background.
Godseekers, our Heavenly Father sees and remembers every act of service others miss. When no one notices your hard work, your kindness, your quiet obedience—He does. Hebrews 6:10 promises, "God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people." The unnamed donkey owner might be forgotten by history, but God knows them well. And He knows you, too. Your willingness to serve without needing applause shows the heart of Jesus, who "made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant" (Philippians 2:7).
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for seeing me even when no one else does. Help me serve with a pure heart, not looking for praise but simply saying yes when You say, "I need it." Remind me that my worth doesn't come from others noticing me but from Your love for me. Give me joy in hidden service and faith to believe that what I give to You will be used in amazing ways I might never see on Earth. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Personal Reflection
- What am I doing right now that only God sees? How does knowing He values this hidden service change how I feel?
- Is there something God is asking me to give up that I'm holding onto?
Step of Faith
Today, I will do one kind act without telling anyone, with no hope of thanks or reward, simply because the Lord wants to use me to show His love to others.
