Donkey Ride

Donkey Ride Matthew 21:1-11

Outline

Introduction: When the king shows up.

Why did Jesus enter on a Donkey?

1. To Teach us about His Kingdom

What is it like? Not of this world. Not built on power and might. But,

2. To Reveal His Inner Spirit.

He comes to Us Gentle. He shows us God’s grace.

3. To Fulfill the Promises of God.

He is the Promised Messiah. He is the Lamb that takes away the sin of the world.

A Jordanian Newspaper ave this report:

NO ONE has ever imagined that he would once be filmed or given a lift by a king. This didn’t take place

in one of the remote countries around the globe, but here in Jordan. Under disguise, His Majesty

King Abdallah, accompanied by the Director of the Information Center at the Royal Court,

switched on his video camera and started filming activities at the Free Zone in

Zerqa. The King personally listened to complaints by investors in the Free

Zone area. They didn’t realize that they were actually complaining to

the King himself, who was disguised with a beard and a

traditional dress.

The Monarch wandered for hours registering the situation through the lens of his camera. The King

managed to form a good idea about work procedures, the complaints of merchants at the grounds

and the obstacles facing investment in the country. According to eye witnesses in the

customs section, the King listened to hundreds of people without revealing his

identity. Unfortunately, the TV crew couldn’t continue with their mission.

When the management got to know of the two men filming in the area, they proceeded to the scene.

Following attempts to get rid of the officials who were sent to prevent the filming, the King

revealed his identity, and that’s when hundreds of people surrounded him. Some sources

suggested that this visit wasn’t the first of its kind since the King carried out similar

inspection visits to other corporations and departments, which have direct

dealings with the public.

It was true. The country was rocked by this news. All along the true and new king of Jordan had been

walking around in disguise among the people. This is the feeling I get about Jesus and much of

His public ministry. He is the Son of God, the creator of the ends of the earth, walking

freely among his subjects. Almost no one had grasped the true identity of this

man. Even at the end of our text for today at verse 10 we read these

words 10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred

and asked, “Who is this?”

But, there was no day in all of Jesus’ ministry that he declared who he was more clearly to the people. On

this day, Jesus, the king and Lord of all who had walked around in disguise during his ministry

shushing those who recognized him, Jesus revealed who he really is. That is why this

event is recorded in each of the gospels and why we take the time each year to

remember this day. Here we see who Jesus is and what he is about. Here

Jesus shows Himself. He takes off the disguise.

I remember reading the words of Woody Allen (I am not one of his fans by the way) say that all his life

he had been wanting God to reveal Himself to him, to speak to him. He once said, I would take

anything from God. Just one word would be enough. One visit. It would be enough if

God would only sneeze. Haven’t we all had this feeling? Lord, if you would only

reveal yourself to me, make your self real to me. Speak to me. Let me hear

your voice. Well, on this day, the Lord showed His hand. He

revealed who He is. This he did on a donkey ride.

You might ask, why did Jesus enter into Jerusalem on a donkey? And, what does this have to do with me

and with us here at Granada. That is what I would like to think about as we worship this Palm

Sunday. Notice the setting of this chapter in the opening verses,

1 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples,

2 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. 3 If anyone says anything to you, tell

him that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”

On of the first things that strikes me when I read this chapter is how Jesus is doing these things

intentionally. There are those who have said that Jesus was really a very good man, and what