The talk about donkeys, in general, is that they are stubborn critters. Yet, they can be useful to carry burdens, if you can get them to 'forward ho'! Often, the use of the proverbial carrot dangled, just out of muzzle reach, in front of them, is the "green" light that's just the ticket to get the donkey to put his right foot forward and walk on.
When compared to horses, donkeys do not appear to be very magnificent; in fact, they seem to be so ugly they're cute. Then their "hee-haw" can be an assault upon the ears. Nonetheless, in their favor, is that they do not startle as easily as horses tend to do, so perhaps their more placid, ahem, 'mulish'-ness, is an asset. Cut to the chase, the character to focus most on for this story is that the donkey symbolizes humbleness and peace, as opposed to a horse typifying pride and war.
This leads us to Luke 19:28-40 and Jesus' triumphant, grand entrance into Jerusalem, on donkey back. Doesn't sound too elegant, does it?! It is of great significance though.
Jesus had need of that "wild little donkey" and it was brought to Him with the key words, "the Master (or Lord) has need of it". Well, ok, what can one do with an untamed creature; go ahead and lead it away! Apparently, Jesus could use it. He tamed the wee thing, climbed aboard its back and slow-trotted along the dusty road to Jerusalem.
As Jesus advances upon Jerusalem, let's take a peek at the donkey's owners.
One doesn't just let strangers come up and take ones' possessions, saying, "So-and-So needs this or that" and expect the item to be handed over without ceremony. For some reason though, the donkey's owners grant the use of their donkey without so much ado, upon hearing the words, "the Master needs it". They were so willing to relinquish their donkey into Jesus' care.
Isn't that great! Jesus could count on them. They were willing to use their possession for Jesus' purposes. Maybe they did not understand what He needed the donkey for, but they were willing to part with it.
Reflect on that. Do we allow our Lord and Master, Jesus, to use our possessions, our money, and/or ourselves for His purposes? Can Jesus count on us? To count on us to help others and to bring others to Christ, or enable others to go into all the world and preach the gospel?
Who would have thought a wild little donkey would be 'useful'?
Maybe with what we have and who we are, we believe we do not have much to offer Jesus. The key element though, is the heart willing to "let go" and let the master decide what He needs and how He'll use us and our belongings. It could be a very surprising journey and filled with excitement that only He could dispense when we are willing and He can count on us. We may well have more than we think we have.
Let us all be encouraged to use our "talents" to bring others to Christ and store up treasure in Heaven.
Jesus comes in peace, ambling along on the humble, little donkey. Along the way, the people spread their cloaks and palm branches in the forward path. The people are jubilantly rejoicing and crying out, believing that Jesus had come to be the kind, good and loving King, come to rescue them from the Roman rulers, and set up His Kingdom of God, at last.
So, they celebrated. They cried out joyfully, so much so it got the goat of the Pharisees and other religious leaders who were jealous and having their noses bent out of shape by Jesus' popularity.
They tell Jesus to make the people keep quiet. Jesus amusingly says, "If they keep quiet, the stones will cry out." Isn't that funny?! Of course, the religious leaders failed to see the humor in it. Creation will respond to its Maker, anyway.
Sadly, not long afterwards, the crowds were shouting, "Crucify Him! Crucify Him!" What an awful sound; one hundred times worse than the braying of a donkey!
What was Jesus actual purpose? Jesus was always focused on His Father's will, determinedly setting His face in the direction of Jerusalem. That was where He would suffer and die for all mankind. This was the rescue plan, to deliver one and all from the captivity of our sins and sins' consequences. He took the punishment upon the cross and bought and brought our pardon and peace with God.
This is something to loudly praise and celebrate about because Jesus did not stay dead. NO! He rose again from the dead on the third day. His resurrection showing the unvanquished victory over sin, death and Satan and everlasting death sentence, imprisoned in Hell.
Out of willing hearts overflowing with gratitude, then, when we hear, "The Master Needs It", let Him be able to count on us. Then resoundingly praise Him until it bugs someone.
~ERC August 2020~
Based on Luke 19:28-40
Sing, Salvation-chorus
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