Let Me be a Donkey! (Holy Week thoughts continue...)

The Sunday that we recognize as Palm Sunday comes from Jesus' Triumphal entry into Jerusalem where He rode into town on a donkey and people laid down their coats and palm branches as He passed by. Jesus didn't own this donkey though. From where did it come?

Jesus was just outside the city and sent a couple disciples into the village. He told them they would find a young donkey colt tied up. He instructed them to untie it and bring it to Him. If they were asked what they were doing, they were to say that the Master needed the donkey and He would return it. So they did just as Jesus told them and everything was just as He said it would be. When they returned with the colt, Jesus sat upon it and road into town.

As I was reading this the other day, I was stunned by the reality of this story. It was a donkey, a lowly animal, that brought the King of Kings into the town. It wasn't a regal white Arabian that had been born of thoroughbred parents. Jesus didn't choose a lumbering elephant or even a lion--the king of the jungle. He chose a lowly donkey. Jesus chose the simple--the unexpected. I'm so glad He did.

Isn't it awesome that He still chooses the simple, the plain, the ordinary? He wants to use us if we will give ourselves to Him

In addition, the donkey was a young colt. It had NEVER been ridden. It wasn't yet broke. Yet when it was brought to Jesus, it allowed Him to ride. This is contrary to the nature of a donkey, I am told. Normally, the colt would have acted wildly and tried to buck its rider. Donkeys are known for their stubbornness. Yet, this donkey willingly allowed Jesus to ride him. Jesus tamed and controlled the donkey--it was calm, obedient and gentle as Jesus rode upon it.

Now what about me? Sometimes I am so stubborn. So willful. So determined to go my own way and do my own things. Sometimes my temper gets out of control. My prayer today is that I would be willing to be tamed--willing to be calm, gentle and obedient--just as the donkey colt that carried Jesus on His triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
W