Grand Theft Donkey

Grand Theft Donkey

Mark 11: 1 - 11

Intro: As I begin the message today, I want you to close your eyes following my directions while using your imagination.

Imagine you have finally reached a place in life when you are able to buy the vehicle you have always dreamed of owning. You have that brand new gleaming car parked in your driveway. As you are admiring your new vehicle, you notice a couple of suspicious looking guys approaching.

One of the guys jumps into the driver’s seat and the other on the passenger side. The one in the driver’s seat picks up the key fob that you absentmindedly left on the console and starts the car. You start to protest, but he simple says, “The Lord needs it.” And off they go committing grand theft auto. In a flash your new dream car is gone. OPEN YOUR EYES! What is your reaction?

Read: Mark 11: 1 - 6

I Jesus begins his triumphal enter into Jerusalem by telling his followers to go and commit grand theft donkey.

A In Roman occupied Jerusalem the penalties for “stealing” something as valuable as a person’s mode of transportation were very stiff. People could be whipped or even put to death for stealing a person’s horse or donkey.

B The interesting thing here is that the disciples didn’t question. They just did what Jesus told them to do and it worked out well.

C When was the last time that you felt called by God to do something you believed to be questionable? Did you do it without question or doubt?

II Look at this from the perspective of the donkey.

A There is a lesson for us in the poem, “The Donkey” by G.K. Chesterton.

B The Donkey

By G.K. Chesterton

"When fishes flew and forests walk’d

And figs grew upon thorn

Some moment when the moon was blood

Then surely I was born.

With monstrous head and sickening cry

And ears like errant wings

The Devil’s walking parody

On all four-footed things

The tatter’d outlaw of the earth

Of ancient crooked will

Starve, scourge, deride me, I am dumb.

I keep my secret still.

Fools! For I also had my hour

One far fierce hour and sweet

There was a shout about my ears

And palms beneath my feet."

C The donkey’s secret mentioned was that he was chosen by God.

Read Mark 11: 7 – 11

III Are you aware that God has chosen each one of you for a task, especially those whom we ordained and installed today?

A It is an amazing truth that God has chosen each of us for a task. We have meaning in our lives when we trust God to use us.

B Like the donkey in the poem, we may think we are a misfit, hopelessly ugly and unfit to be used by God.

C Many are quick to criticize and slow to praise. Perhaps you think you should have done better with your life.

Concl: The incredible truth is that you are still here. God may still be calling you to rise to the occasion and follow where God leads. God created you. God chooses you. Don’t grieve over what God has NOT given you. God made crows as well as canaries. Look at the things you can do and follow where God may be calling.