He Rode a Donkey

Scripture

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.

A History of the Donkey

To Jerusalem

We’ve come to think some things about the “Triumphant Entry” that just aren’t true.

We’ve Americanized the account because of the way we perceive the details of the story.

Take the Donkey for example, we think of the donkey that Jesus rode as being like the donkeys we have here in America.

They are not.

The Middle Eastern Donkey is about 1.5 to 2 hands taller than our donkeys.

They are extremely fast, only being out run by the fastest of horses.

They are frequently mentioned as gifts.

One of the kings that Abraham lied to about his wife Sarah gave Abraham a number of donkeys as part of the price to get him to leave his country and take his wife with him.

Donkeys were listed among the valuables that Job lost during the period that he was being tested by his trials.

A number of prominent people throughout Jewish history are recorded to have ridden a donkey.

A number of prominent people throughout Jewish history are recorded to have ridden a donkey.

The heir of David who was to be anointed king rode a donkey to his coronation.

When Absalom was trying to claim the throne and got his hair stuck in a terebinth, he was on a donkey. ()

Mephibosheth rode a donkey as a symbol of the royal claim that he would make on behalf of the house of Saul if Absalom’s insurrection had succeeded. ()

Solomon rode a donkey to his anointing ceremony as king. ()

Christ knew there would be 2 animals waiting for the disciples.

Riding a donkey was not a symbol of humility because the one riding couldn’t afford a horse.

Horses were usually reserved for times of war or use by the military.

It is no surprise, then, that our Lord rode a donkey into Jerusalem on this occasion.

Today the Nubian donkey even has a naturally occurring cross in its coat.

Journey To Jerusalem

He knew that they would be questioned

He knew what answer to give.

He knew that the owner of the animals would send them.

This should inspire us to live a holy life.

This should cause us to walk as closely as possible to the Lord.

This should inspire us to live a clean life.

This should cause us to walk as closely as possible to the Lord.

Journey To Jerusalem

A fulfillment of prophecy written some 700 years before hand by Isaiah

Isaiah 62:11 KJV 1900

11 Behold, the Lord hath proclaimed unto the end of the world, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh; Behold, his reward is with him, And his work before him.

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.

Isaiah 42:16 KJV 1900

16 And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, And crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.

Isaiah 45:2 KJV 1900

2 I will go before thee, And make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, And cut in sunder the bars of iron:

He was born the first time, just as Scripture said.

Isaiah 42

He was born the first time, just as Scripture said.

He entered the city, just as Scripture said He would.

The Scripture says that He’s coming back for a bride.

You can rely on that, just as surely as those looking forward to His first coming.

The Bible says that He’s going to judge the quick and the dead. Which are you?

And When He Was Come

The heir of David who was to be anointed king rode a donkey to his coronation.

When Absalom was trying to claim the throne and got his hair stuck in a terebinth, he was on a donkey. ()

Mephibosheth rode a donkey as a symbol of the royal claim that he would make on behalf of the house of Saul if Absalom’s insurrection had succeeded. (2 Samuel 19:27)

Solomon rode a donkey to his anointing as king. (1 Kings 1:32-40)

The people were waving palm branches - a symbol of peace.

They put the branches and their outer garments across the road. - Symbolic of respect usually for royalty or people to be highly honored.

This is where the scattering of flower petals before the bride walks down the aisle originates.

She’s the one being honored on her wedding day

They shouted Hosanna - Help or Save Us I Pray

Jesus rides into the city on an animal that has a long and rich history in Jewish culture of carrying kings and royalty.

He’s not here to be recognized by the Jewish elites.

He’s not here to ask permission to take his rightful place among them.

He’s declaring himself, in the most public fashion possible to be their king.

His kingship is a fact, and He’s giving them the opportunity to accept Him of their own volition.

Conclusion

God has a role for each of His creatures.

He doesn’t create without purpose.

Are you ready should today be the day that the Lord has need of you?

Are you ready if today is the day that He calls your number and says, “You’re up. Get a bat and put your helmet on.”

Sinner, God may have given you plenty of rope up to this point.

He may have been patient and long suffering toward you, but just like Palm Sunday, there will come a day when He declares Himself to be King.

There will come a moment of last opportunity when you’re only choices are to accept Him or reject Him.

Why wait?

Why take the chance of walking out of here today not knowing that this morning may be your last chance?

Why take the chance that you might miss the opportunity to willingly recognize His kingship?

The Jewish leaders only found out that their opportunity had passed them by on the day of the resurrection.

Don’t repeat their error.

Don’t wait until it’s too late because for you, it won’t be a resurrection miracle that informs you that you’ve missed your chance, it will be when you stand before the King and have to give Him an explanation for why you spurned His grace.

You will have to try to look Him in the eye after all that He purchased on your behalf and explain why you hated Him.

You think your sin makes you feel guilty now?

This isn’t a drop in the bucket compared to the moment when you look into the eyes of One who is altogether lovely, the fairest of 10,000, the lily of the valley; and try to tell Him that in spite of His sacrifice and suffering for you, you didn’t trust Him or love Him enough to even recognize Him as your King.