The Lord Has Need of It

Introduction

Crazy how people are putting up their Christmas decorations already.

You might be one of those people

I remember my mom’s manger scene growing up. Like most children I played with the figures. There was always a donkey. Right?

Famous Donkey’s in the Bible

Baalam’s donkey, God speaks through the donkey to warn Baalam not curse the people of Israel on their way to the Promised Land.

There’s the donkey that Mary road from Nazareth to Bethlehem, right? Well the Bible never says that she road a donkey but there was a good chance that she did.

And of course the most famous donkey of all, the colt on which Jesus road triumphantly into Jerusalem.

But why this story on the first Sunday in Advent? It’s about Jesus coming to save his people. The triumphant entry embodies Jesus’ coming in humility, his coming to us now and his final coming at the end of history.

Transition: The donkey played a significant role in Jesus’ ministry. As I read this story it become evident to me that we are all donkey’s. I know that sounds crass, but let me tease this thought out with you. You see just as the donkey was unloosed for service so are we. Let’s look again at verses 1-7 (Read Mark 11:1-7)

Unloosening us for service

Christmas is a very emotional time, isn’t it?

There are a lot of expectations that we attach to Christmas. It reminds us of the past, present, the future. Most of these expectations we have for Christmas come with emotions.

There is something important about the decorations. Like our expectations that surround Christmas, there are emotions that are often attached to the decorations. Reminders of family and friends.

Jesus along with a large group of people were climbing the hill from Jericho to Jerusalem. Some in this group would have carried palm branches with them as they made the ascent. Passover came with the emotions that it might be that Jesus would prove himself to be the Messiah and enter Jerusalem as their davidic conqueror.

It was expected that this messianic king would ride a donkey into Jerusalem. And so, the first thing Jesus tells two of his disciples to go and get the donkey.

To get the donkey, the colt, would mean that they would have to loosen it from its gate. It could not be used by Jesus as long as it remained tied to the gate.

As I read this part of the story I started thinking about all the things that I’m tied to, things that prevent me from serving Christ as fully as I can.

Anxiety

Fear

Pet sins

The difference between us and the donkey in the story is that Jesus himself sets us free from all those things that keep us from serving him.

Transition: Not only was the donkey released for service, we discover in this story that no one had every ridden on this colt. It new to service. Once we have been released for service, we find that Jesus also renews us for service.

Renewing us for service

I find it interesting that Jesus makes a point of telling these two disciples that the donkey had never been ridden before.

Reminds me of Children who hear and understand for the first time the message of Christmas. Not the Santa Claus Christmas, but the Jesus Christmas. The Christmas of our Savior birth. His laying in a manger. His visit by the angels. The newness of Christmas for children is like nothing else.

However, for most of us this newness has worn off. We’ve been here before. This is my 65th Christmas, 39th as a pastor.

It would seem that most of us have nothing in common with this donkey. That is, until we realize the power of forgiveness.

How many of us have woken up in the morning and wished we could have a do over.

We yelled at the kids and said things we didn’t mean. We want a do over.

We once again gave in to our addiction and we wake up wanting a do over.

We missed an opportunity to express love to a person who needed what we have, but we were too tired and we want a do over.

Sometimes that what we think grace offers. It offers a do over, but that’s a misunderstanding of grace. Grace isn’t about a do over as if we will right the wrong of the previous day. It’s a start over. In Psalm 31 verse 1 & 2 David describes that person who is blessed is the person who’s rebellion is taken away and who’s sin is covered. In other words, grace is about starting over with a clean piece of paper.

Everyday is a start over for us because of Jesus. We are renewed to be like that donkey on which no one has ever ridden. That’s what each day looks like for you and me as we live in Jesus.

Transition: Finally, the donkey was used for service by Jesus.

Using us for service

Finally, Jesus sat on the donkey and rode it. We don’t know how far he rode the donkey. We don’t know if the colt was uncomfortable with Jesus sitting on it. We know he road it as people waved their leafy branches before him and laid coats on the ground over which the donkey would travel.

As we wait for Christ’s second advent, he is using us on the journey to that day. It is how God works. He uses you. He uses us to accomplish his work. As the community of God, Jesus said that we would do greater things than he did. Christ is now present in all corners of the earth through the church.

He is present in Colorado Springs through you and me. Why do you think Satan is trying to tear the church apart with COVID-19 issues? Because he knows the power of Christ at work through his church.

As we serve Christ, I’d like to point you to the Advent wreath and the meaning of the candles. Each candle has a special message to us about our service.

Our service is a service of hope.

Our service is a service of preparation.

Our service is a service of joy.

Our service is a service of love.

Conclusion

The donkey reminds us that we have been loosened for service, renewed for service, and used for service as we stand between the two comings of Jesus. And in this service we remember that even today, Jesus still comes to us. Amen.