The Preaching Jackass
Luke 19:29-38
29 As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them,
30 "Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here.
31 If anyone asks you, ’Why are you untying it?’ tell him, ’The Lord needs it.’"
32 Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them.
33 As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, "Why are you untying the colt?"
34 They replied, "The Lord needs it."
35 They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it.
36 As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road.
37 When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:
38 "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!"
You didn’t know that a donkey could preach, did you? It’s amazing what God will use to convey His message. I mean, He does say in verse 40 that if He has to, He will use stones to “cry out” his praise.
The first mention of a donkey is found in Genesis 22, where Abraham saddles him to go to Mt. Moriah to offer his one and only son as a sacrifice.
In Numbers 22, we find the story of Balaam’s donkey. He saw something that Balaam didn’t. Dumb animals, so-called, have more spiritual perception than some people. Three times the donkey saw an angel, so he left the road, crushed Balaam’s foot and laid down. Each time he was beaten. He finally spoke (God opened his mouth) to Balaam and complained about his treatment. Deut.5:14 says, “Don’t work your donkey on the Sabbath.”
Deut.22:10: “Do not plow with an ox and a donkey yoked together.”
Judges 5:10: “You who ride on white donkeys…” (Song of Deborah; rich merchants, chieftans).
I Samuel 9:3: Saul was out looking for his father’s donkeys when he met Samuel who anointed him king over Israel.
Zech.9:9: “See your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”
Did Mary ride on a donkey when she traveled from Nazareth to Bethlehem? Luke doesn’t specifically tell us that.
This creature preaches with his life. Notice some things with me about him.
1. His Appearance—nothing dignified about a donkey. You can look at him from any angle you like and you will fail to find what men call “presence.” He just doesn’t have it. And yet the Lord chose him above a beautiful stallion. In that part of the world at that time in history, a donkey was a symbol of peace—a true Jewish hero.
2. His Nature—awkward, obstinate, and yet the Lord saw something in him. I see a parable here. Whatever Christ touches, He dignifies. No matter how despised a person or creature may be, Jesus has a use for him.
• He uses all kinds of people—donkeys come in various colors: gray, brown, black and albinos; domesticated and wild
• He uses ordinary folks (disciples)
• He uses uneducated folks (John Bunyan, tinker; Wm. Carey, shoemaker; Wm. Booth, pawnbroker’s assistant).
• He uses handicapped folks (George Whitefield, crossed eyed, grotesque squint; Fanny Crosby, blind songwriter; Joni Erikson Tada, quadriplegic).
• He uses obscure people (farm laborer who rescued 6-yr.-old John Wesley)
• He uses the young (colt)
3. His Attitude
Even though his nature is stubbornness, we see here something quite different:
• He was available (vs.32)—willing to be used
• He was submissive (vs.30)—to his owner (tied up) and to the disciples (went with them) and to Jesus (let Him ride him).
• He was faithful ---a two-mile trip from Bethany to Jerusalem.
Illus.: “Man of War”
It was said of the great racehorse: “Some horses led him at the backstretch, a few led him at the far turn, but no one ever led him in the homestretch.”
Blessed is the man who makes a good finish. Some who are running the race of faith are quick out of the gate; some do well half-way; but God longs for those who have “spiritual stamina.” Able to subsist on limited food and water.
• He was useful. Known as a “beast of burden.” Job had 500 of them. Are we not called upon to bear our burdens of the Lord? Verse 34 says, “The Lord has need of him.” Consider some of the uses of a donkey:
- carries supplies
- carries wood and water
- carries children and women
- pulls simple plows
- grinds corn
- pulls carts
• He was sure-footed—able to traverse the roughest terrain. Pastor Paul Ciniraj of India wrote these words:
“I’m a part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have the power of the Holy Spirit. The dye has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I’m a disciple of Jesus. I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.
My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure. I’m finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, cheap living, and dwarfed goals.
I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don’t have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labour by power.
My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way rough, my companions few, my Guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.
I won’t give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, preached up for the cause of Christ. l have a great hope of His coming back. So I preach till all know, and work till He stops me. And when He comes for His own, He will have no problems recognizing me; for my banner is clear !!!”
CONCLUSION
It’s amazing the things you can learn from a so-called dumb beast! Like a donkey, I might not be much to look at, my nature may be obstinate, my usefulness may appear of no consequence, but remember…
The Lord has need of me and you! Doesn’t that make you feel good?
And one more reminder: Whatever Jesus touches, He dignifies.
