Through The Donkey’s Eyes
Donkeys are not much of a favorite animal in most minds. If you’ve ever stayed near anyone who owns one, you know that they start braying, or “hee-hawing” at the break of dawn, and go on until everyone in the area - near and far - is awake. I mean - REALLY awake!
I do wonder what went through the mind of the donkey who carried Jesus into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday so many years ago. Sure, I may be giving a lot of credit to the mind of a donkey, but just go with me here.
Jesus didn’t normally ride on a donkey. In fact, this is the first time we ever read in Scripture that he rode on anything. He normally walked. Like, he walked A LOT! But in Luke 18:30, He sends two of the disciples ahead, telling them that as they entered the village, they would “find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden". He told them to untie the colt and bring it to him.
It’s interesting that the disciples didn’t ask the owner of the colt until verse 33 when the owner asked “Why are you untying the colt?” Their response was, as Jesus had instructed them to say, that “The Lord needs it.”
Let’s sit with that a minute. Are we sometimes like the disciples, and miss opportunities to speak or share about Christ because we’re too focused on the task at hand? Are we sometimes secretive of our faith and our service to Christ (whether intentionally or unintentionally)? Another notable part of this section of the story is the disciple’s response that “The Lord needs it.” How often do we stop to think about the Lord having needs? He desires people who will willingly serve Him, the King of Kings. His plan involves US to share and spread His love to the world.
So the disciples brought the donkey to Jesus, as he commanded. Let’s not miss that example of obedience. Obedience is a sign of love. In John 14:15, Jesus said “If you love me, keep my commands.” Even when it is difficult, obedience is important. Remember that this colt had never been ridden before. The load of carrying Jesus must have been heavy and challenging for this little “first-timer”, but the donkey obeyed. God calls us to obey, even when the burden is heavy, the road is difficult, or we don’t feel equipped.
As Luke continues, he describes that when Jesus rode the colt into the crowd, the people began to joyfully praise God in loud voices. Do you wonder if the donkey was a little scared at all of this, or if he may have even thought that the cheering was for him? That can be us, right? We hear cheers or accolades and desire it for ourselves, or desire more - more than we deserve. Perhaps that little donkey heard the rejoicing and realized how honored he was to carry the King of Kings, the Prince of Peace!
Along with the rejoicing voices, the donkey also would have heard complaining or critical voices. The Pharisees complained and told Jesus to “rebuke your disciples!” Do we sometimes contribute to the complaining voices or negative attitudes to those around us? Do we let those voices influence our attitudes or our obedience?
This Palm Sunday, let’s remember this little donkey and the lessons we can learn from him. Let’s serve God with obedience, even when the burden is heavy or the road is hard. Let’s share the amazing message we carry with all those we encounter. Let’s seek to draw attention and praise to our great God, and not to ourselves. Let’s not miss our opportunities, even if we’ve never done things like it before. Like the donkey, let’s not miss our chance to carry our Savior - wherever He leads!