WHICH DONKEY?

By Rick Mathes

John 12:15 (NASB77) ¹⁵  ” FEAR NOT, DAUGHTER OF ZION; BEHOLD, YOUR KING IS COMING, SEATED ON A DONKEY’S COLT.”

Imagine the scene: Jesus is marching into Jerusalem as a King would and all those with Him expect Him to be. Look around and take notice of the variety of those in this parade and the onlookers in the crowd along the way.

There was of course the donkey’s owner and the Disciples of Christ with their palm leaves falling in front to pave a way for their Messiah. The Pharisees, I’m sure were thumbing their noses at the Apostles formed tightly around Him with Peter in the lead. We’re talking thousands here who also came to see Lazarus that Jesus had raised from the dead. But for this moment, let’s examine the donkey, which is you: what kind of donkey are you?

Exalted: I can imagine that the donkey thought the parade was for him and he was bursting with pride that he was carrying the Lord of the universe. How could Jesus every think of doing anything without him? Has that ever been you?

Forced: He was mumbling and grumbling about everything he could think of. It was too hot, Jesus was too heavy, the crowd didn’t appreciate him, and he would not have done anything for Jesus if they hadn’t pressured him to do this wearisome deed.

Serving: Mr. Donkey was so blessed to really be of some service to the King of Kings. He was willing to step through the fires of Hell itself if his Master asked him to. A serving donkey is a happy and fulfilled donkey. Sound familiar?

Humble: I would like to think he thought as I did, I was astonished and am so to this day that Jesus would choose me to go about His work. I know the filthy sinner I am and I could never have died for a wretch like me but He did. If that doesn’t humble you, nothing will.

My choice of hat the donkey was and what we need to be is  to be a silent warrior. St. Francis of Assisi said, “All I want to do is go about the Father’s business and not know it.” How humble and unnoticed can one get?

The front altar of heaven is reserved for those that have prayed and served faithfully and no one really knows who they are but the Lord. God help me to be that warrior!