Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey. 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 as the King and He comes, as predicted in a way that seems, frankly, a little bit silly.
There’s message for us. 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 and you.
So the question I’d like to consider is “How does a donkey become fit for the service of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords?” And “How can we be made useful for him too?” There are three important things that make this donkey fit for royal service, and they are equally important for us. You can read the entire story in Matthew 21:1-11 and Mark 11:1-11.
A Selected Donkey
By Pre-arrangement. As they approached Jerusalem, Jesus sent two disciples to get the donkey. Clearly Jesus had made arrangements to use this donkey ahead of time. The point is this specific donkey had been set aside for a noble purpose.
By Prophecy. This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: “… your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” 550 years earlier Zechariah (9:9) prophesied about this little donkey. God had a plan and this donkey was selected by God to play a part in His plan.
You have been selected. “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last” (John 15:16; also Ephesians 2:10). You 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.
A Sanctified Donkey
By Preservation. No one had ever ridden this donkey. Such animals in Jewish tradition often had special religious significance, because they had never been used for any worldly purpose.
God wants us to be separated from the world to be useful to Him (2 Timothy 2:2). 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.
By Preparation. 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; 2 Timothy 2:15). 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.
A Satisfied Donkey
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. “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God.” (Romans 12:1). The Lord 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.
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. Like the donkey we must be satisfied with a humble part in God’s plan.
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 jewelry and exquisite blankets. 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. God wants to use ordinary you to do a great work!
You can read some of my other articles about serving Jesus: Random Acts of Kindness, To Serve or Be Served?, 4 Things You Dan Do For One Another.