My dear friend Tracy really sees the poetry of life, she seeks after Wisdom and she loves the Lord. I am so glad she shares her heart with us. Won’t you make her feel welcome by posting a comment below?
Now when they drew near Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Loose them and bring them to Me. And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, The Lord has need of them, and immediately he will send them. All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet (in Zechariah) saying, the daughter of Zion, Behold your King is coming to you, lowly and sitting on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey” (Matthew 21:1-5).
Here is the prophecy from Zechariah 9:9:
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
The significance of this famous journey into Jerusalem was not lost on the religious leaders of the day or the people. His arrival on the colt announced Jesus as a “king” who would provide “salvation” for God’s people. This is the journey we remember when we celebrate Palm Sunday.
According to Smith’s Bible Dictionary, (amazon.com link) the Eastern variety of donkey is known for: patience, gentleness, intelligence, endurance, and submission. This the opposite of the stubborn reputation of the European donkey.
A King of Kings riding a lowly animal , whose adult version represents the peace that He will indeed bring the the unknowing world. A world which was not yet ready for that ultimate message: that the Christ’s death on the cross, and resurrection, would mean the triumph of the King.
Just as Jesus chose to be carried to Jerusalem on a lowly donkey, God sends lowly creatures like ourselves to carry a Savior in to this sinful world. Do you feel worthy? Will you receive the call? What does the call look like?
I do not feel worthy, but I am acutely aware that pride can masquerade as inadequacy. When cherishing sin in my heart, I am resisting the Truth just as the obstinate donkey would reject the call of his master. What type of vehicle am I for the gospel message when I refuse instruction?
In contrast, the docile, meek donkey is a vehicle worthy of the salvation message. There would certainly be a radiant light reflecting off that message! Notice in the order is which Jeuss presents The Beatitudes :
blessed are the poor in spirit
blessed are those who mourn
blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth (Matthew 5:3-5)
I submit to you that meekness is an active fruit of the former two; following our experiences of poverty of spirit and mourning. Godly meekness is impossible unless we first learn a lowly estimate of self. Yes! That self is a lowly vehicle transporting a life changing gospel message: Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey!!
As obedient “vehicles” for the gospel, may we with all humility and meekness love all of His people on the journey. How do you share the gospel?
Tell me what's on your heart: