EVEN A DONKEY KNOWS WHAT A MOTHER SHOULD DO
Matthew 21:1-11 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, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.¡¨ 4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: 5 ¡§Say to Daughter Zion, ¡¥See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.¡¦¡¨ 6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, ¡§Hosanna to the Son of David!¡¨ ¡§Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!¡¨ ¡§Hosanna in the highest heaven!¡¨ 10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, ¡§Who is this?¡¨ 11 The crowds answered, ¡§This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.¡¨
This is Palm Sunday Message ¡V Not For A Mother¡¦s Day Message? Let¡¦s See.
ILLUSTRATION: I John 4:18 / John 4:18
Today, There Is The Breakdown Of The Family: Increase divorces, more single moms. Many unmarried relationships waiting and hoping that the man will propose. Increased family mobility from city to city due to jobs leading to loneliness for children when they relocate. There is increased need for education for the female. Due to globalization, more parents travel far as part of their work, and that puts pressure on togetherness and raising of children. In major cities in America, there is the high cost of living. The gays and lesbians have come out of the closets and are now sitting on pulpits, in classrooms and in our councils. There is more incest in families than ever before. Children, mothers and some men are abused in homes, communities and in churches violently and sexually. Many kids go to bed each night without proper beds, food, clothing or shelter. Many kids raise themselves. The streets are unsafe ¡V gangs, prostitutions, etc. Unfaithfulness of spouses. Kids¡¦ involvement in early sexual practices. Drunkenness, drug addiction, crimes, etc. Our society needs donkey mothers whom their children will follow all the way to Jesus.
Our Text Is recorded In The 4 Gospels & Prophesized in Zechariah & Isaiah. Mark and Luke say it was a colt. John says it was a colt, but a female. Only Matthew speaks of the mother being present. Donkey is mentioned in the Bible 142 times. A donkey or an ass is all the same beast. Jackass is the name for a male ass; jennet is the name for a female ass. The donkey is a member of the horse family. Donkeys are well known for being extremely stubborn, especially when they are asked to do things which are dangerous, but these animals are also very gentle and incredibly dependable. They travel diverse terrain which would be too rough for horses. They are found all over the world. The donkey has several advantages over the horse. They are incredibly strong and carry as much as 40% of their body weight. They are also easy keepers, requiring minimal food and capable of digesting almost anything edible. They are very patient and trusting with people they know. The Democrats use the donkey as a party symbol - humble, homely, smart, courageous and loveable. The Republicans, who use the elephant as a symbol, think the donkey is stubborn, silly and ridiculous. The Democrats think of the elephant as bungling, stupid, pompous and conservative - but the Republicans think it is dignified, strong and intelligent. Notice This: The donkey carried Mary, while pregnant with Jesus, to Bethlehem. Now we see it about to carry Jesus for his final journey to Calvary.
Jesus Has Told His Disciples To Go Into Town And Bring To Him A Mother Donkey and her colt. If anyone should ask them, ¡§Why are they taking them?¡¨ They were to respond, ¡§Because the Lord hath need of them.¡¨ Now Jesus would only be sitting upon the colt. Why did Jesus ask for the Mother Donkey to come along? I apologize for using Mothers & Donkey in the same line but here are some points:
1. A Real Mother Cannot Be Loose In Behavior (Matthew 21:2). Notice that it was the mother donkey that was tied up. When you are a mother, you tie your emotions. If a mother is bearing the daily responsibility of being a mother, her children will be free to be children. The colt would freely choose to stay at the side of his mother. Sadly, some children are tied while the parents are loose.
ILLUSTRATION: Michael Jackson Missed That Moment.
ILLUSTRATION: The Instructive Mother. 2 Tim 1:5 (Grand Lois, Eunice)
2. God Has A Special Calling For Those Who Are Mothers (Matthew 21:3). The disciples were specifically told to bring the mother of the colt along. Before God can call your children, He already called you. Every mother has the calling of God upon her life. America needs a generation of God-called Christian mothers who will hear the beckoning call of God to the ministry of motherhood!
3. Where A Mother Goes, The Children Will Follow (Matthew 21:4-6). Why did Jesus tell the disciples to loose the mother donkey and bring her to him? Because he knew that if the mother donkey came, her young donkey would follow along behind her freely. Mothers, if you want your children to have morning devotions, attend Church, and live a godly Christian life, you must set the example for them to follow! If you want your children to respect the Father, the Pastor, and those in authority, you must set the example for them to follow!
ILLUSTRATION: The Loyal Mother. John 19:25 (Jesus Mother at cross)
4. If A Mother Can Bring Her Children To Christ, She Will See That Jesus Will Be Glorified Through Their Lives (Matthew 21:7-9). There is no greater joy for parents than to see their children being used of God. This untamed colt would be used by Christ. Jesus would ride upon his back and into Jerusalem where he would receive his worthy praise. But he felt secure with the mother around. He would not be tied ¡V mother & her teachings went ahead.
ILLUSTRATION: The Protective Mother ¡V Jochebed (Exodus 2:1-4)
ILLUSTRATION: The Supportive Mother ¡V Hannah (1 Samuel 1:24-28)
5. When A Child Is Lifted, A Mother Is Also Lifted: We have read this text many times. We do not even hear about the mother donkey. But notice 21:7: According to this verse both the colt and the Mother Donkey were used on this occasion. Clothes were set upon them both. The mother went ahead of the child. I can envision the disciples leading the mother donkey first, and then the colt will follow its mother into Jerusalem with Jesus riding on its back. What a beautiful picture for Mothers. It is true that every eye on Palm Sunday would have been focused on Christ, but there was a mother leading the way!
ILLUSTRATION: 1 Kings 3:16-3:21: Solomon And Two Prostitutes.
ILLUSTRATION: Preacher¡¦s Lost Bike ¡V Preach On 10 Commandments
ILLUSTRATION: Twins ¡V The Minnesota Twins Baseball Team
Triplets - The 3M Corporation
Quadruplets - The Four Seasons Hotel
4th Guy Fainted: I Should not have taken that 7-Up Job
BIBLE STUDY: Mothers Are Sensitive To Follow God ¡V Men Are Slow.
ILLUSTRATION: The Forgetful Patient ¡V Pay me in advance B4 treatment
HOW CAN YOU BE LIKE HANNAH (I SAMUEL 1-2)?
ć A Godly Mother Believes In The Power Of Prayer.
ć A Godly Mother Gives Her Children To God
ƒá A Godly Mother Wants God¡¦s Best For Her Children.
ć A Godly Mother Keeps Her Word To God (And Others)
Any Mother Here Who Wants These Qualities, Come Let¡¦s Pray For You.
