You Can Learn A Lot From A Donkey - Matthew 21:1-11
The automakers and those who test their vehicles use dummies to simulate what happens to human beings like you and I during an automobile accident. They put these dummies through a battery of tests that determine what injuries a real person would suffer in various situations. At the conclusion of some of the commercials in which these dummies are the star, the phrase that we have all heard is uttered by one of these crashed up dummies, “You can learn a lot from a dummy.”
In the account of the Triumphant Entry, there is a key element that we often overlook. In fact, until reading this past week of the account in the eyes of others scholars and commentators, I had given very little attention to the donkey’s role in being there and transporting Jesus into Jerusalem. In taking a closer look, I realized that you really can learn a lot from a donkey.
I. The donkey was God-given
A. God Knew the donkey would be there
(Zechariah 9:9) (Matthew 21:4-5)
1. He told of it.
2. He lead Jesus to the city.
3. He chose donkey (sign of humility)
over horse (a conqueror)
God knew from the start that this day would be necessary. He mapped it out through history to make sure the will He had to provide us a Savior would become reality!
B. Jesus knew the donkey would be there
(Matthew 21:1-3)
1. He sent the disciples.
2. He told them exactly what they
would see.
3. He knew the significance of
fulfilling the prophecy and riding
in on a donkey.
When we walk as close to God as Jesus did, we are in perfect harmony with all that He has in store for you and I. We know even where our donkey’s might be!
C. Do we know that God puts us right where He
needs us?
1. He made us (Psalm 100:3)
(Psalm 139:13-16)
2. With a purpose (Ephesians 4:11-12)
(I Corinthians 12:12-20 A dummy missing some of its parts) “Mr.
Potato Head”
3. For His glory, Just like Jesus
(Matthew 21:8-11) (I Peter 4:11)
(I Corinthians 10:31)
4. God Loves You!!! (John 3:16)
"God don’t make no junk"! You were created for a purpose! Find it through the Spirit!
II. The donkey was God-driven
A. The Crowd knew He was something special
1. Hosanna! = Save! (Problem was they
thought His kingdom would be here
on earth.
2. He comes in the name of the Lord.
In other words, He comes as one
sent by God. Verse 11 = Jesus is a
prophet.
Even though they were mistaken about where this new kingdom would be established, they were nonetheless paying homage to a man that they knew had to be sent by God!
B. Jesus, who is God, Was Rider
1. God testified to Jesus’ deity.
(Matthew 3:17)
2. Jesus made the claim Himself.
(John 10:30 - “I and the Father
are one.”
3. His disciples knew (Matthew 16:16)
This was God Himself riding in on a donkey. This was the Word become flesh, the creator, preserver, and governor of all things riding on the back of a donkey!
C. Are we God driven?
III. As God’s given, we need to be God driven!
A. In our hearts
1. Jesus as Lord and Savior
2. Holy Spirit as guide
3. God as the only God.
If there is anything else that drives our hearts, it will prove to be useless in the realm of significance. Only that which is motivated by a passion and love for God will endure for eternity!
B. In our lives
1. Obedient to His Word
2. Obedient to His Spirit
The true test of where God ranks in our lives is how we model the very Word that He preserved over the years for you and I!
C. In our Churches
1. God is #1!
2. His will is above ours!
If our agenda, desires, preferences, opinions, perspectives, comforts, etc. become more important than God’s, then we will fail!!! No ifs ands or buts!!! God has got to be our top priority and His will must be our desire!!!
