A Guy and His Donkey
The Triumphal Entry
Matthew 21:1-11
This of course is Memorial Day weekend
And tomorrow is the day we remember those who have given their very lives defending our freedom
Listen to this testimony from Vietnam Veteran Bill Scheibler
I served as an airborne Ranger platoon leader in the First Air Cavalry Division during the Vietnam War
Our company was hacked up pretty badly by the enemy during one mission
When our platoon’s survivors returned to base camp
We all trudged down the muddy path to our tent
As the men took their places in their bunks
The number of empty bunks became apparent
Men put their faces in their hands and sobbed like children
Each of us wondered if our bunk would be empty at the end of our next mission
Fortunately, there was something we could always count on to help keep our sanity
Late in the evening, long after the sun had gone down
A distant bugle could be heard playing “Taps”
When that haunting, nostalgic song was played
All activity in the battalion area came to a screeching halt
Conversations would stop and men would sit back in their bunks
Listening to what had to be the most poignant sound I have ever heard
Now years later, as I look back on the horrors of that combat
I remember that unknown bugler who played “Taps” so late every night
It seemed that, if only for a few moments, we were assured that someone was up there
Sending us renewed hope through those 24 simple notes
The notes were not what soothed this and many other soldiers hearts though
It was the words the close this short hymn
The words go like this
Day is done, gone the sun
From the lakes, form the hills, from the sky
All is well, safely rest
God is nigh
God is indeed nigh
As we remember the lives lost so we can enjoy our freedom
We can not forget that God is nigh
This story reminds me of another soldier
World War II - Burma
The fighting was intense, many lives had already been lost
But the United States Army was strong
Strongest in the world and they pressed on
Yes many had been lost but far more were still fighting
Ammo was running thin and the enemy was closing in
It was rough terrain and even rougher conditions
One GI, Peter, was in the thick of it
And as it happened he was in need of rescue
As he waited, stranded alone he felt like he would never make it out alive
Then he heard it
Something coming through the forest
It sounded large. What was it?
An enemy tank or truck?
Will I be killed, or worse, taken prisoner?
This GI tasted fear like never before
As the sound grew louder and louder
It finally broke through brush
It was not the enemy, not a vehicle
A mule, US ARMY mule, there to rescue him
A mule named Francis
And what happened next? Francis talked
Francis the talking mule from 1950 was the first in a series of movies starring this pre-Mister Ed mule that talked
Peter of course tells everyone about the talking mule
And gets himself a nice padded cell
Francis goes on to star in movies such as
Francis in the Navy
Francis goes to West Point
Francis Covers the Big Town
Francis Joins the WACs
Francis in the Haunted House, Francis Goes to the Races
The Patsy Award was originated by the Hollywood office of the American Humane Association in 1939.
And in 1951 Francis the mule was the first PATSY winner PATSY stands for Picture Animal Top Star of the Year
In today’s passage we read about another animal that the if the PATSY had been around in first-century Jerusalem would have certainly been a winner
This Jerusalem bound donkey would have won a PATSY
Read Matthew 21:1-11
God is nigh
Jesus the Prince of peace is closing in on Jerusalem, the city of Peace
Jesus the Lamb of God is closing in on the day of His execution
Jesus the Son of God is closing on His resurrection day
Jesus is nigh
This event is of course known as the Triumphal Entry
The dark shadow of the cross was already falling heavily across the pathway of the Lord Jesus
In just a few days, the event that all of humanity and time pivots upon, the crucifixion, would take place
Yet notice how calm the Lord is
How careful He is about every detail concerning His entry into the holy yet deceitful city. WHY?
So that scripture might be fulfilled
Long before this beautiful Sunday morning God had prepared all the intimate details for this event
Our story includes a man, a guy with a donkey
We don’t even know his name or what he looks like
All we know is what he gave
He gave his donkey
I’ve often thought about what it would be like talking with different Bible characters in Heaven
Some would week out Abraham, Noah, Moses, one of the Marys, disciples
I would like to talk with the guy with the donkey
I might ask him things like
How did you know that Jesus would need the donkey?
Did you mind having the donkey taken and used?
After witnessing the events that followed, did your opinion change?
Were you proud, surprised, concerned?
Did you know all four Gospels would tell this story?
What was it like once you fully understood that it was God who rode your donkey?
What did you do with the donkey afterwards?
A simple Jewish guy with a donkey
Its possible he didn’t have much, many poor people
These two may have been his only beasts of burden in his stable
But he gave what he had
Maybe he would have recited his story like this
As he stands beside his most prized possession
Prized because it had been used of God
I thought this was just a simple colt
But I was wrong
This little colt is a great treasure
It will be known throughout time
Even when you and I are long forgotten
It has taught me that no man knows what great treasure he may have disguised as something simple and ordinary
My friend, this very donkey colt was spoken of over five hundred years before by the prophet Zechariah
He then might close his eyes and quote the well-known messianic prophecy from memory
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.
There were two men that came to me
They ran to that tie post over there by the shade tree and untied this colt
I said “What are you doing”
They looked at me with excitement beaming in their eyes
They said “The Lord has need of your animal. The colt will be returned”
What could I say?
I just watched as they took the colt and ran with it back in the direction from which they had come
A peace came over me that told me not to worry
I wondered if the colt would behave because it had never been ridden before
Then I had thought, I wanted to follow them
Be with them, but I couldn’t keep up
They vanished among the hundreds of people atop the Mount of Olives
Then the crowd began shouting
Hosanna to the Son of David
Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord
I looked and was able to see the back of a man, being carried by this colt
Before Him, people were lying down their garments in the road and waving branches
I wanted so much to lay my cloak down with the others, but I couldn’t catch up
A sight to behold
This colt, he says, patting it lovingly
Have you ever felt that God wanted you to give Him something, but you were reluctant for some reason?
Then later realized you missed the chance to make a difference in someone’s life?
You missed out on being used by God Himself?
Often times we know God wants us to give something but we don’t because we are too selfish
Thinking we have the right not to give it
Then occasionally, too few times I imagine, we hear God asking
And we actually follow through and feel honored
That something we gave helped Jesus into another place or another heart
But we still wonder if the little things we do really make any difference at all
We all have a donkey
Each of us have something or things in our life if given back to God (back because its His already) that could help carry Jesus to another place
What is it that you can give? A song? Hug? Phone call of concern, an idea or just a little time?
Maybe you can write a big check, teach a great lesson, or take on a big project?
Whatever you have, that is your donkey
It could be that God wants to mount your donkey and enter another city, another nation, or another heart
Do you let Him?
Do you give your donkey?
Or do you hesitate?
Here are five reasons why you need to give God your donkey:
Because you aint doing anything with it (aint doing in Greek)
Notice that the donkey was not being used when the disciples came to it
It was tied up
Jesus said in John 15:5
“apart from me you can do nothing”
If we do not give God our donkey we will not be able to accomplish anything for Heaven’s sake
2. Because the God of all creation is asking for it
God cannot steal. Everything already belongs to Him
He is the Divine Creator
Jesus told His disciples to say “The Lord hath need of it”
That’s all the instruction we should require
“God is asking for it”
3. Because God cannot fulfill His holy purpose without it
Zachariah prophesied that the Messiah would come on a donkey
“See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey”
God was very specific
He would not come riding this time on a white horse
He was coming in peace
When a king would ride into a city on a horse it symbolized he was coming as a conquering king
To overthrow the powers that be
But when he rode a donkey, he came in peace
Jesus came as the Prince of Peace, confirming His Messianic royalty and His humility
To fulfill His prophecy, His holy purpose
Why give your donkey?
Because God needs it
Don’t try giving God Ishmael, when He is asking for Isaac
4. Because God can make something majestic out of something ordinary
What a tremendous spontaneous celebration they had on Palm Sunday in Jerusalem
The donkey was part of it all, the palm branches, the clothes placed in the way, Jesus on the donkey’s back, the singing of the songs…
God made something majestic out of this donkey
Just think about what a “hero” He could make out of you, if you would only yield your life to Him!
5. Because God always give it back new and approved
I don’t know much about riding horses or donkeys
But I do know its not exactly the wisest thing to hop onto the back of one that has never been rode before
Unless you are the Son of God
Mark tells us this colt had never been rode before
God can tame the wild
He can calm the troubled waters and the raging storm
This donkey was no doubt returned to its owner new and improved
The things we give to God can make a difference
Scripture is full of little things when given to a big God have made a huge difference
Rahab’s rope, Paul’s bucket, David’s sling, Samson’s jawbone, the rod of Moses, Mary’s ointment, a wooden manger, a fisherman’s boat, and a rough cross
All of these things were of little significance
But when given to God, a mighty miracle followed
What does you donkey look like?
Are you willing to give it to the Lord today?
A guy with a donkey, will you be that guy?
We can learn some powerful lessons from this donkey and this event
The guy with a donkey helped to illustrate a time of joy and worship yet to come
On this day we see a small glimpse of what Heaven will be like
First lesson we find that Jesus had a plan for the donkey
In our lives He has a plan for each of us
Jeremiah 29:11 says
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”
His plan for us is that we enter into a relationship of grace with Him
And once we know Him to work here on earth for Him and eventually spend eternity by His side.
The story also says the donkey had clothes placed on him
So that Jesus might take His place upon the donkey
When we come to Christ we receive new garments of life
The Bible tells us that we are clothed in Christ
Galatians 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ
We see that the donkey was led
It is possible that someone led the young colt
Or I believe Jesus being God led the colt with His power
Jesus Himself led the donkey with His power over creation
Jesus has this effect on all His creation
He caused Peter’s nets to be filled
Prepared a fish with a coin in its mouth
The fish that swallowed Jonah, among others
To be part of the plan the donkey had to be go where we was led
God does not always give us the route or even the destination
We must simply follow His lead and show our love by following obediently
But I think the greatest lesson from the donkey, showing us a glimpse of Jesus and eternity
Is that the donkey’s position made Jesus more visible
The donkey’s position of service made Jesus more visible to the crowd
When we humble ourselves Christ becomes more visible to others
He did not choose the proud prancing mare, but a humble lowly donkey
Nothing about the donkey took away from Jesus
And since Jesus was visible, a crowd was drawn
When He is lifted up, He will draw all men unto Himself
There is nothing glamorous about a donkey
Kind of like the Poplar Bluff Mascot , Mules what a mascot
Not exactly intimidating, Democrat Party?
This donkey was nothing special to start with
It was simply a humble servant
We need to humble ourselves in servitude to Christ
It is not my kingdom to build, its Jesus’ Kingdom
Its not me that should be exalted, but Christ
When we allow Jesus to be glorified in our lives
People will talk and want to know more
When we live lives of humble servitude to Jesus He will be glorified
Then others will see a glimpse of Heaven in Jesus
On this glorious day in Jerusalem we catch a glimpse of Heaven
Heaven is a place with a definite location
It is a certain place unlike this unstable, insecure, fleeting world
Heaven is stable, secure and eternal
Jesus said I go and prepare a place for you
He wants you in that place
And in this place we will forever worship the King of kings
We will lay down our coats and palm branches before Him
We will forever sing praises to his Name
Hosanna to the Son of David
Hosanna in the Highest
Blessed is the King!
Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!
And we will sing a new song
As we catch a very small glimpse of what He has in store for us one day
We look forward to eternity in Heaven where we will bask in the glow of His love and worship at His feet
The heavens shall glow with splendor,
But brighter far then they
The saints shall shine in glory,
As Christ shall them array:
The beauty of the Savior,
Shall dazzle every eye,
In the coming day that’s coming by and by.
Our pain shall then be over,
We’ll sin and sigh no more;
Behind us all of sorrow,
And naught but joy before,
A joy in our Redeemer,
As we to Him are nigh,
In the coming day that’s coming by and by
I pray that you can say those words today
If you do not know Jesus as your Savior don’t wait until its to late
Some say better late then never
I heard a story about a library in England that received back a book that was 100 yrs over due
They had lost track of the book and didn’t even realize it was missing.
The original library where it was checked out doesn’t even exist any more
It is better late then never
But once its too late, there’s no going back
Make that decision today, before it is too late
Trust Him as Savior
When the great library of Alexandria burned, the story goes, one book was saved
But it was not a valuable book
And so a poor man, who could read a little bought it for a few pennies
The book wasn’t very interesting, but between its pages there was something very interesting indeed
It was a thin strip of parchment on which was written the secret of the “Touchstone”
The touchstone was a small pebble that could turn any common metal into pure gold
The writing explained that it was lying among thousands and thousands of other pebbles that looked exactly like it
But the secret was this
The real stone would feel warm, while the ordinary pebbles are cold
So the man sold his few belongings, bought some simple supplies
Camped on the seashore and began testing pebbles
He knew that is he picked up ordinary pebbles and threw them down again, he might pick up the same pebble hundreds of times
So when he felt one that was cold, he threw it into the sea
He spent a whole day doing this
But none of them was the touchstone
Yet he went on and on this was
Pick up a pebble, cold, throw it in the sea
Pick up another, throw it into the sea
The days stretched into weeks, and weeks into months
One day however, about mid-afternoon, he picked up a pebble and it was warm
He threw it into the sea before he realized what he had done
He had formed such a strong habit of throwing each pebble into the sea
That when the one he wanted came along
He still threw it away
Unless we are vigilant, its easy to fail to recognize an opportunity when it is hand
And its just as easy to throw it away
So be extra careful, and try not to dismiss things so easily
Just because something similar in the past failed
Or someone else who seems similar didn’t turn out well
Or if something we see as just another ordinary pebble
Try not to be instinctively negative
Or you may miss a God given opportunity that was sent to you
Are you that guy with a donkey?
Do you have something you think is ordinary
Something that God has given to you or brought to you for His use
Do you have a donkey that you need to allow the Lord to use?
Give
Give your donkey
God is indeed nigh
That same Jesus that entered those gates among the accolades of the people
That same Jesus that one week later was betrayed by those same people
And brought to that hill of Golgotha
That same Jesus that in three days rose from the dead
Is nigh again now
Nigh means near in place or time
Jesus is near
His coming is imminent, close, near, approaching, coming, nearly here, at hand
Jesus gave us His all, and in doing so, died on the cross for our sins
As we think about His sacrifice He suffered on our cross
Do not forget what He gave for you
He did give His all, the point of death
When He returns, will He find you using what He has blessed you with for His purpose
Give your donkey
Give what God is asking of you. Today!
