I saw something new in Mark’s account of the Triumphal Entry:

Now, as they were approaching Jerusalem, they arrived at the place of the stables near Bethany on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of his disciples ahead and said to them, “As soon as you enter the village ahead, you will find a donkey’s colt tethered there that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it to me. And if anyone asks, ‘Why are you taking it?’ tell them, ‘The master needs it and will send it back to you soon.’” (Mark 11.1 – 3, Passion Translation)

Bruce Simmons, the Passion translator, wrote a note mentioning that this is the only place in the Gospels where Jesus needs something:

Only once in the Gospels do we see Jesus ever needing anything. In this case he needed a donkey. More than one commentator has seen a picture here of how the Lord “needs” every believer to be his representative in the world. (Passion Translation note on Mark 11.3)

It reminds me that the only thing Jesus declared a shortage of was people:

When he saw the vast crowds of people, Jesus’ heart was deeply moved with compassion, because they seemed weary and helpless, like wandering sheep without a shepherd. He turned to his disciples and said, “The harvest is huge and ripe! But there are not enough harvesters to bring it all in.” (Matthew 9.36, 37, Passion Translation)

Back to the donkey. Pressed into service, do you think anyone noticed the donkey? It wasn’t his job to be noticed! It was his job to display Jesus. 

And do you seek great things for yourself? Seek them not. (Jeremiah 45.5, ESV)

He must increase, but I must decrease. (John the Baptist as quoted in John 3.30, ESV)