Introduction
Surely the text couldn’t have said a donkey. A white stallion, even a Camel, I’d take the old gray mare before a donkey.
It’s pretty amazing don’t you think? The first truly public acknowledgment of Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah and he comes, as predicted in a way that seems, frankly, a little bit silly.
God had chosen to fulfill his plan riding upon a donkey, on a colt the foal of a donkey. What is the meaning of it? Well for one thing I think it makes the Messianic claim unmistakable, it wasn’t everyday, I’m sure, that people rode victoriously through the cheering crowd lined streets of Jerusalem on donkeys.
But I’d like to think there’s another message for us here,
Proposition: If God can use a stinky little donkey in the triumphant fulfillment of his plan then just maybe he’s got a plan for me too.
Interrogative: So the question I’d like to consider with you this morning is "how does a donkey become fit for the service of the King of Kings and How can we be made useful for him too?"
Transition: There are three important things that make this donkey fit for royal service, and they are equally important for us, First the donkey is...
1. Selected
a. By Pre-arrangement
vv. 1-3 As they approached Jerusalem... Jesus sent two disciples, 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. If anyone says anything to you, tell him that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away."
Clearly Jesus has made arrangements to use this donkey ahead of time.
It’s pretty cloak and dagger actually, the only thing missing are code names.
The point is this specific donkey had been set aside for a noble purpose. He is also selected...
b. By Prophecy
vv. 4-5 This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: "Say to the Daughter of Zion, ’See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’"
550 years earlier Zechariah had prophesied about this little donkey. God had a plan and this donkey was selected by God to play a part in His plan. And he has selected us too:
John 15:16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last.
Ephesians 2:10 - For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
We have been chosen not only for blessing but for service.
You may not be a king or even a Sunday School teacher but God knows you by name and he has a plan for you to serve him, He has prepared in advance good works for you to do.
Next, notice with me that this donkey who was selected is...
2. Sanctified
b. By Preservation
Mark 11:2 you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden.
Such animals in Jewish tradition often had special religious significance, because they had never been used for any worldly purpose.
We must be separated from the world also to be useful to the Lord
2 Timothy 2:21 If a man cleanses himself from [wickedness], he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.
It’s also necessary for us to Preserve our time and energy to use for the Lord’s service. So often we give him the left overs of our life when He desires our first fruits.
ILLUSTRATION: Paper torn into pieces of our lives leaving a tiny shred for God.
Being Sanctified also means being Prepared for the Lords use
b. By Preparation
v. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them.
The donkey was prepared for the Lord’s use and we need to be prepared too.
1 Peter 3:15 Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.
2 Timothy 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
Spending time getting to know the Lord in Prayer and study of His Word prepares us for his use and allows the Holy Spirit to work in us to sanctify us for Service.
Finally, to be useful to the Lord, like the Donkey We must be...
3. Satisfied
a. To Present Himself
Donkeys are not known for a submissive temperament, it is worth noting that this donkey presents himself to the master to be used. Like him we must present ourselves to the Lord...
2 Timothy 2:15 "present yourself to God"
Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God
Yes, He has chosen us but he will not work against us he wishes for us to present ourselves to Him, to be submissive to his will in our lives.
The Donkey was also satisfied...
b. To Play a Humble part
In spite of the importance of the donkey’s role in the fulfillment of prophecy, he still plays a bit part. His job is to lift up Jesus so that Jesus can be seen by the crowds.
We have a similar role in God’s plan, not to be exalted but to exalt Christ. To make him be seen by the world. The apostle Paul wrote...
Galatians 6:13 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus warned us in His sermon on the mount not to be like the religious people who did their good deeds to be seen by men, the Good works that the Lord has prepared in advance for us are works that bring glory to his Name and not our own. Like the donkey we must be satisfied with a humble part in God’s plan.
CONCLUSION
You know donkeys really aren’t all that great. They’re stubborn, they’re smelly, they’re small, not really able to do that much. But Jesus used a donkey in his most triumphant public moment here on earth. He could have chosen a a white stallion outfitted for battle as he’s portrayed in the book of revelation. He could have chosen a camel decked out in sumptuous velvets. But he chose a donkey.
You may not be a white stallion, or even an old gray mare. You may have never really thought of yourself as a part of God’s grand plan, but the Bible says that’s exactly what you are.
You have been Selected by Him to fulfill a part of His plan prepared in advance for you.
To fulfill that role you need to be Sanctified, prepared for his service by separation from the world’s evil and commitment to Him
And you must be Satisfied to take the role of a servant, fulfilling God’s plan for God’s glory and not your own.
