Promise for Today - A Donkey’s Tale: The Gospel of Palm Sunday

written by Dr. Michael A. Milton

As we reflect on Palm Sunday, we are reminded of the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. The Scripture that refers to the Lord telling His disciples to get the donkey is found in Matthew 21:1-3:
"As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, 'Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.'"

Let’s hear about Palm Sunday from one who was there.
All the children waved palms and sang Hosanna. I could never forget! It was the high mark of my life. I know: I have heard the jokes that you've made. It is interesting that you never use the King James version except when you're talking about Baalom’s donkey (Numbers 22:28). Our kind knows all about the jokes. But it was no joke on that Sunday. Now, I can't talk like Balaam’s creature, but I have something more. I have a donkey's tale.

There are several things about that day that stand out to me. Every so often, I feel like I just want to rear back on my hind legs and bray at the beauty of those moments with the One called Immanuel. What do I remember? Well, they were at least three special moments that come to mind, and these memories may have something to say to you.

Firstly, Jesus chose me. I remember that the Galilean chose me to fulfill Scripture. I did not belong to the Galilean, but I belonged to a man from Jerusalem. But on that day, the Galilean sent his disciples and told my master that “the Lord hath need” of me. Do you know what that means? Do you know how it feels to be the bad end of a joke all the time? I don't have to do anything, and yet people immediately see me as stubborn and mean. Not Jesus. He did not choose me out of pity. He did not select me to be his supporter because of any other reason than this: in the secret councils of Almighty God, he set his love on me. If only I could have talked! Do you know how it feels when God chooses you despite your reputation? Yet, Jesus chose me.

Jesus used me. By saying that Jesus "used me," I don't mean that he took advantage of me. To the contrary! He gave me a part in the greatest story ever told. What do you think about that? Do you still want to call me stupid and mean and stubborn? I may be all of those things, but for one brief shining moment, I carried the King of kings and Lord of lords on my back. And I can never get over how God uses a simple little creature like me to bring about so great a salvation.

Others overlooked me. In the midst of all the hosannas and all the waving palms and palm branches thrown at my feet, I knew the cheering was not for me. I knew the palm branches did not form a veritable "red carpet" for the Prince of donkeys. No. I knew they were welcoming Jesus as the promised Messiah. But just as they overlooked me and my important part — the role that changed our species — in that great Palm Sunday story, many overlooked the Scriptures. For that glorious King who rode on my back was not a political figure. He was not riding into Jerusalem to overthrow Rome. He was riding into Jerusalem to go to the cross. And I can never forget that. The Scriptures declare that we creatures know more about God than some of you. Job 12:7-10 says: "But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you, or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this?"

So many misunderstood. But I knew why he chose me. I knew why he used me on that glorious day. And I could see what many overlooked. The King of kings and the Lord of lords came into Jerusalem as the Prince of peace. He was on his way to die for the sins of the world, to give his life as a substitutionary atonement for sin. He lived the perfect life so that whoever believes in him is covered in the righteousness of Jesus. And what did he get? He got our sins. He took our pain. But he gave us his life.

I'm just one of God's creatures. But on that special day, that Palm Sunday, my life and, indeed, my kind were changed forever.

Intersecting Faith and Life:
Though I have made a donkey of myself numerous times in my life, I am now stepping away from the voice of that little creature on Palm Sunday. I want to say to you clearly: this little parable, based on true events is told to you that you may know God has placed his love on you despite your sin, your past, or even what other people might think of you. Secondly, like the little donkey, God has use for you. God calls us to use us for his kingdom's work. And finally, I want you to see that Palm Sunday is not only the beginning of the Holy Week, but if you repent and trust in Jesus Christ as the resurrected Lord of lords and King of kings in your life, it will be Easter morning forevermore.

In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

So, I encourage you, my human friends, to consider how God may be calling you and using you for his kingdom's work. Despite your past, your sin, or what others may think of you, God has placed his love on you and has a purpose for your life. And as we enter Holy Week, remember that Palm Sunday was just the beginning of the greatest story ever told.

Friends' Favorite - Connecting

You are to redeem every firstborn donkey with a lamb, and if you don’t redeem it, you are to break its neck. 

Exodus 13:13a ISV

When they came near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples on ahead and told them, “Go into the village ahead of you. At once you will find a donkey tied up and a colt with it. Untie them, and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, tell him, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and that person will send them at once.”   

Matthew 21:1-3 ISV

If you know me, you know that one of my most favorite stories in the Bible is in Numbers 22, where the donkey speaks to the prophet... because for me, it is a story of hope. If God will use a donkey to talk to a prophet, He can even use me to talk to you. J

Back to our Scripture passages, I find it most telling that a donkey had to be redeemed with a lamb or have its neck broken, and later, that the Lamb of God rode a donkey for His Triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Sometimes, I'm a little slow in connecting the obvious, but this one got my attention. 

You know, there are all kinds of history and background information  on donkeys, and especially how differently they were perceived in Christ's day compared to now. However, I'm no expert, and I'll leave you to do your own study on that, if you like. 

The fact remains, the beast of burden was considered unclean and had to be redeemed with a lamb to be able to live. Does that story sound familiar? Are you making the connection?

Prayer:

Father,

          I love how You waste absolutely nothing. Help us to connect everything to the threads of love that You weave so beautifully throughout the Bible. Give us understanding, O God! We want to know You more. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Heart Check

So the next morning Balaam got up, saddled his donkey, and started off with the Moabite officials. But God was angry that Balaam was going, so he sent the angel of the Lord to stand in the road to block his way. As Balaam and two servants were riding along,Balaam’s donkey saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand. The donkey bolted off the road into a field, but Balaam beat it and turned it back onto the road. Then the angel of the Lord stood at a place where the road narrowed between two vineyard walls. When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, it tried to squeeze by and crushed Balaam’s foot against the wall. So Balaam beat the donkey again. Then the angel of the Lord moved farther down the road and stood in a place too narrow for the donkey to get by at all. This time when the donkey saw the angel, it lay down under Balaam. In a fit of rage Balaam beat the animal again with his staff.Then the Lord gave the donkey the ability to speak. “What have I done to you that deserves your beating me three times?” it asked Balaam.
“You have made me look like a fool!” Balaam shouted. “If I had a sword with me, I would kill you!”
 “But I am the same donkey you have ridden all your life,” the donkey answered. “Have I ever done anything like this before?”
 “No,” Balaam admitted.
Then the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the roadway with a drawn sword in his hand. Balaam bowed his head and fell face down on the ground before him.
“Why did you beat your donkey those three times?” the angel of the Lord demanded. “Look, I have come to block your way because you are stubbornly resisting me. Three times the donkey saw me and shied away; otherwise, I would certainly have killed you by now and spared the donkey.”
Numbers 22:21-32 NLT

This story is about Balak trying to bribe Balaam to curse the Israelites so he (Balak) could defeat them. God told Balaam in no uncertain terms, No, you are not to do that, but Balaam's response to the officials is like that of a petulant child whose Daddy has told him no. Balaam knew he was not supposed to curse anything that God had blessed, but there was that greed thing working... They offered him more riches, and with his mouth he says no, but his heart is coveting that easy money. God said no, but hang around, maybe He'll change His mind...

Do you ever find yourself in that position? Tempted to be drawn away by what the world has to offer even when we know it's wrong? Do we just pay lip service? No I can't do that, I'm a Christian... Do we really think God's going to change His mind? Would we do it if we thought we could get away with it? If so, it might be a good idea to own a donkey... or have a friend who is as stubborn as one when it comes to following the Lord.

Those of you who know me know that this is one of my favorite passages of Scripture. It provides GREAT hope! If God used a donkey to talk to a prophet, He can use you or me to talk to... well, you get the picture.

Prayer:

Father,

         Even if we've never done it before, open our spiritual eyes to see so we can speak the words You would have us say to save someone from eternal death. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Making the Connection *

You are to redeem every firstborn donkey with a lamb, and if you don’t redeem it, you are to break its neck. 

Exodus 13:13a ISV

When they came near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples on ahead and told them, “Go into the village ahead of you. At once you will find a donkey tied up and a colt with it. Untie them, and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, tell him, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and that person will send them at once.”   

Matthew 21:1-3 ISV

If you know me, you know that one of my most favorite stories in the Bible is in Numbers 22, where the donkey speaks to the prophet... because for me, it is a story of hope. If God will use a donkey to talk to a prophet, He can use me to talk to you. J

Back to our Scripture passages, I found it most telling that a donkey had to be redeemed with a lamb or have its neck broken, and later, that the Lamb of God rode a donkey for His Triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Sometimes, I'm a little slow in connecting the obvious, but this one got my attention. 

You know, there's all kinds of history and background on donkeys, and especially how differently they were perceived in Christ's day compared to now. However, I'm no expert, and I'll leave you to do your own study on that, if you like. 

The fact remains, the beast of burden was considered unclean and had to be redeemed to be able to live. Does that story sound familiar? Are you making the connection?

Prayer:

Father,

          I love how You waste absolutely nothing. Help us to connect everything to the thread of love that You weave so beautifully throughout the Bible. Give us understanding, O God! We want to know You more. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen