Donkeys are a major mode of transportation for the poor in many countries of the world. Donkeys pulling carts trot down dirt roads and clop along behind diesel buses and sedans in major cities jammed with traffic.
Herds of donkeys have appeared in recent years in the rural areas of Louisiana and Texas. Ranchers keep them in the pastures with sheep and goats because donkeys offer some measure of protection from coyotes and wolves.
These floppy-eared burden-bearers are small packages of useful energy. They are dependable, steady and sometimes sweet though seldom spectacular.
For this reason Jesus chose a donkey as his mount for the royal entrance into the Holy City during that holy season leading up to Passover. The donkey, unlike a spirited Arabian stallion, communicates humility and service.
The crowd on that first Palm Sunday seemed not to care about the beast but only about the rider. Him they dubbed the Son of David. They hailed him as one who came in the name of the Lord. They spread their garments in the path, waved the leafy branches, and sang Hosanna. It was a welcome for a king.
We know now what they did not know that Sunday in Jerusalem. We know that Jesus was riding to his death upon that lowly steed. He who served consistently through all his life would accomplish his greatest service in death. He was a servant to the sick, but in his death he would bring the medicine that heals every disease. He was a servant to the poor, but in his death he would bring eternal riches to the poor of spirit. He was a servant to the widow and orphan, but in his death he would open up the family of God to every troubled heart. He was a servant to the hungry and the hurting, but in his death he would bring access to the table of the Heavenly Father for all who hunger and thirst for righteousness.
This is our Savior, riding on a donkey, his dangling feet almost dragging in the dust. This is our God, sitting, swaying, on the donkey’s boney back. For all who never pictured God this way, here is the unexpected correction to your vision.
Herds of donkeys have appeared in recent years in the rural areas of Louisiana and Texas. Ranchers keep them in the pastures with sheep and goats because donkeys offer some measure of protection from coyotes and wolves.
These floppy-eared burden-bearers are small packages of useful energy. They are dependable, steady and sometimes sweet though seldom spectacular.
For this reason Jesus chose a donkey as his mount for the royal entrance into the Holy City during that holy season leading up to Passover. The donkey, unlike a spirited Arabian stallion, communicates humility and service.
The crowd on that first Palm Sunday seemed not to care about the beast but only about the rider. Him they dubbed the Son of David. They hailed him as one who came in the name of the Lord. They spread their garments in the path, waved the leafy branches, and sang Hosanna. It was a welcome for a king.
We know now what they did not know that Sunday in Jerusalem. We know that Jesus was riding to his death upon that lowly steed. He who served consistently through all his life would accomplish his greatest service in death. He was a servant to the sick, but in his death he would bring the medicine that heals every disease. He was a servant to the poor, but in his death he would bring eternal riches to the poor of spirit. He was a servant to the widow and orphan, but in his death he would open up the family of God to every troubled heart. He was a servant to the hungry and the hurting, but in his death he would bring access to the table of the Heavenly Father for all who hunger and thirst for righteousness.
This is our Savior, riding on a donkey, his dangling feet almost dragging in the dust. This is our God, sitting, swaying, on the donkey’s boney back. For all who never pictured God this way, here is the unexpected correction to your vision.
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