View From The Donkey

Zech. 9:9; Matthew 21:1-11

Zechariah 9:9 KJV 1900

9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: Behold, thy King cometh unto thee: He is just, and having salvation; Lowly, and riding upon an ass, And upon a colt the foal of an ass.

Matthew 21:1–11 KJV 1900

1 And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, 2 Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me. 3 And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them. 4 All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, 5 Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass. 6 And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them, 7 And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon. 8 And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way. 9 And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest. 10 And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this? 11 And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.

(this passage known as the Triumphal Entry)

Zech. 9:9

Zechariah 9:9 KJV 1900

9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: Behold, thy King cometh unto thee: He is just, and having salvation; Lowly, and riding upon an ass, And upon a colt the foal of an ass.

All four gospels give the account of the Triumphant Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem riding on a donkey.

(Matt. 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-10; Luke 19:29-38; John 12:12-16)

Matthew 21:1–11 KJV 1900

1 And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, 2 Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me. 3 And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them. 4 All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, 5 Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass. 6 And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them, 7 And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon. 8 And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way. 9 And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest. 10 And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this? 11 And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.

Mark 11:1–10 KJV 1900

1 And when they came nigh to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth forth two of his disciples, 2 And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him. 3 And if any man say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye that the Lord hath need of him; and straightway he will send him hither. 4 And they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door without in a place where two ways met; and they loose him. 5 And certain of them that stood there said unto them, What do ye, loosing the colt? 6 And they said unto them even as Jesus had commanded: and they let them go. 7 And they brought the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on him; and he sat upon him. 8 And many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down branches off the trees, and strawed them in the way. 9 And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord: 10 Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.

Luke 19:29–38 KJV 1900

29 And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, 30 Saying, Go ye into the village over against you; in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat: loose him, and bring him hither. 31 And if any man ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say unto him, Because the Lord hath need of him. 32 And they that were sent went their way, and found even as he had said unto them. 33 And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them, Why loose ye the colt? 34 And they said, The Lord hath need of him. 35 And they brought him to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon. 36 And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way. 37 And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; 38 Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.

John 12:12–16 KJV 1900

12 On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 13 Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord. 14 And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written, 15 Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass’s colt. 16 These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him.

Let’s look at this day from the unique perspective of the donkey [wait, I didn’t say let’s have a perspective OF the donkey!  Next slide, please.  No, not that one…]…but first, we must set the scene:

I - THE SAVIOR IN THIS STORY

Jesus’ first entry will lead to so much, including His soon to come “re-entry”!

His First Entry                                     His “Re-entry”

1. Riding on a Colt.                       1. Riding a Great White Horse.

2. He Came Alone                        2. Saints & Angels.

3. He wore A Crown of Thorns.  3. Will wear a Crown of Crowns.

4. Called King of the Jews.           4. Will be King of Kings.

5. Had no Money for Taxes.         5. He will own everything.

6. He was Mocked & Jeered.       6. They will fear & Tremble.

7. He came as a Man.                   7. He will come as God.

8. He was Meek & Lowly.           8. Will Come in Power & Glory.

9. He had Nails in His hands.       9. He will have a Rod of Iron.

10. He Hung on a Cross.                10. He will sit on a Throne.

11. Judged in Pilate's Hall.             11. He Will be the Judge.

12. He Came as the Lamb.            12. He will be the Lion.

II - THE SERVANTS IN THIS STORY

The Disciples—they fetched the donkey and colt, and proudly escorted the King of kings this day…but they would later forsake Him and flee!

The Crowd—many believers would have been present, but many would prove to be ‘fair weather friends’ by the end of the week. 

The Bible indicates that there were people who were ‘secret disciples’ or who ‘followed at a distance’ the Lord.

  And many today are genuinely saved, but follow in the same manner, especially when the atmosphere is not favorable!

III - THE SINNERS IN THIS STORY

The Donkey

The Colt -- which He actually rode on [John. 12]

--it’s unclear if one carried some things for Him, or just went along to make it a family affair!

The young donkey represents all of us lowly sinners.

Lessons from the donkey:

·1. First of all we find that Jesus had a plan for the donkey. 

In our lives He has a plan for each of us…

Jeremiah 29:11

Jeremiah 29:11 KJV 1900

11 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.

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 God the Father.  (John 3:16).

John 3:16 KJV 1900

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

2.· The second thing we need to realize is that the donkey was chosen to fulfill that plan. 

God’s word tells us that we too have been chosen to fulfill God’s plan…

John 15:16

John 15:16 KJV 1900

16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

We are chosen that we might be used for His purposes (Ephesians 2:10…ye are His workmanship…).

Ephesians 2:10 KJV 1900

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

·3. Matt 21: 7 says that the donkey wore new clothes. 

Garments were placed upon the donkey 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

Galatians 3:27 KJV 1900

27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

· 4. We see that the donkey went where He was led.

(it was unbroken!)  Jesus has this effect on all His creation!

[in wilderness 40 days and nights w/ wild beasts!/fish w/ coin!/rooster crowed 3x’s]

To be a part of the plan, the donkey had to go where he was led. God does not always give us the route or even the destination...we must show our love by following obediently…

Genesis 22:2

Genesis 22:2 KJV 1900

2 And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.

And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.

· 5. To me the greatest point is that the donkey’s position made Jesus more visible. 

The donkey’s position of service made Jesus visible to the crowd.  When we humble ourselves, Christ becomes more visible to others. 

Jesus did not choose the proud, prancing mare.  Nothing about the donkey took away from Jesus. 

Because Jesus was visible, a crowd was drawn. 

Jesus told us that when He is lifted up He will draw all men unto Himself.

It’s not my kingdom to build, it’s Jesus’ kingdom! 

It’s not me that should be exalted, but Christ! 

When we allow Jesus to be more visible in our lives we will see the responses of the people in this account. 

The crowd questioned, Who is that on the donkey? 

When we allow Jesus to be glorified in our lives people will talk and want to know more. 

When we live our lives in humble service Jesus will be glorified. 

To me one of the greatest truths is realizing that of all the perspectives available, the donkey was the only other perspective that got to see and experience the glory of Christ firsthand.

  When we are where Jesus is, His glory will overflow our lives.

Do you resemble the donkey?      1. He was Tied. - Many are hooked, victims of habit, bound by lifestyle.

2. He was Untamed. - "Never ridden"; stubborn, rebellious in nature.

3. He was Outside. - Many are "without Christ, God, Hope.

Ephes. 2:12

Ephesians 2:12 KJV 1900

12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens…and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world.

4. He was at a Crossroads. - "Two ways met"; Place of decision.

5. He was by the Door. - Jesus is the door.

John 10:9

John 10:9 KJV 1900

9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved…

6. He was Untied. - Jesus sets us free.

John 8:32

John 8:32 KJV 1900

32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

7. He was brought to Jesus. - "And they brought the colt to Jesus.(V7)

8. He did not resist. - "He sat upon him" (V7)

9. He was used for God's glory. - "Hosannah in the Highest"

10. He was submitted to the will of the Savior. - He rode him.

To live as a donkey, you must recognize that God is requesting your presence, so that you might be used of Him.  His plan for you is that you would let Him be Lord of your life.  Daily clothe yourself in the fullness of Christ.  Allow the Spirit to lead you and follow obediently.  Humble yourself that others may see Jesus more clearly and…serve Christ faithfully that He might be glorified…for He is worthy!

Jesus wants to make a triumphal entry into your home…will you take Him there?   Your workplace / this church / that restaurant / into your phone conversations w/ loved ones / your heart!