A Little Donkey In All Of Us

Scripture Text: Mk 11:1-10

This is speaking of Jesus triumphant entry into Jerusalem....

This was the fulfillment of an amazing prophecy by the prophet Zechariah chapter 9, vs 9. Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.

So the Bible tells us that as Jesus rode into Jerusalem, he was met with great joy.

Mark 11:9-10 Many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down branches off the trees, and strawed them in the way. [9] And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord: [10] Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.

I love this story in the Bible, it is a beautiful picture of the glory and praise and honor that is due to the Lord Jesus Christ. In actual fact it is really just the smallest fraction of the glory and honor that Jesus deserves.

What a spectacular sight that must have been. Just imagine yourself in the midst of that glorious celebration. The shouts of praise and adoration for our savior filling the air. Some taking off their own garments and spreading them out before Jesus, and then others cutting down palm branches, and laying them down in front of him.

It was glorious, and as I said, this occassion was actually the fulfilling of an ancient prophecy that the Messaiah would come this way, and be honored this way.

But I want to draw your attention to something in this beautiful celebration that you could very easily miss, you could skip right over it, because after all, Jesus is supposed to be the center of attention, and the main attraction. And rightly so.

So then, you may be wondering right now what I'm talking about. Well I'm talking about the little colt, or donkey that Jesus was riding on. If this little animal could reason, and think, and if we could hear his thoughts on that day, he might have been thinking something like... Wow, do you see this? What a privilige and what an honor I have to be carrying Jesus.

He could have thought to himself... I must be the most blessed donkey in the world. I am so blessed to be the one that gets to carry Jesus, and lift Jesus up before the people.

He was probably saying in his donkey voice, hey everybody, look over here. Look at this. Look who I'm carrying, this is Jesus. Come on let's praise him, let's give him glory and honor.

Then he was probably thinking to himself... it could have been any other donkey in the world, but it's me, he chose me. Wow I am so blessed.

Tell your neighbor... Neighbor, it could have been any other donkey, but he chose you.

Aren't you glad he chose you? Jesus said, you didn't choose me, but I chose you. It feels so good to know that you were chosen.

— It makes me feel good to know that out of all the people on this planet, my wife chose me to be her husband. And greater than that is knowing that Jesus chose me to know him, and be his son.

— So now that we are aware of this little donkey, we need to back up a little bit and see how he found his way into this amazing text and this wonderful service to Jesus.

To see that we have to go back to the beginning of the chapter...

Mark 11:1-7 And when they came nigh to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he " Jesus" sendeth forth two of his disciples, [2] And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him. [3] And if any man say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye that the Lord hath need of him; and straightway he will send him hither. [4] And they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door without in a place where two ways met; and they loose him. [5] And certain of them that stood there said unto them, What do ye, loosing the colt? 6. And they said unto them even as Jesus had commanded: and they let them go. [7] And they brought the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on him; and he sat upon him.

This story is so full of revelation... Lets see if we can unpack it.