Mark 11: Be the donkey

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Testimony

Why am I here? What makes me qualified?

Testimony

Grandpa; book of Matthew

Harvest; Arrogant, stubborn, in leadership too early

Dad dying of cancer at 42 after 7 years

Dad “Whatever you do you are going to have to build it yourself because you’re never going to listen to anyone tell you what to do”

Biological father in prison for the rest of his life

I’ve had substance abuse issues, nothing fantastic

Seminary; Failed… twice, 95% of ministers today have no formal education. I don’t know if failed is better or worse so?

How did I get here?

Mentor; discipleship

2 years meeting with a professor of theology twice a week

5 years serving at a church with a culture completely different than mine

2 years at Faithbridge where I’ve been experiencing the sanctification and Spirit that for so many years I had only read about

The secret is I’m not qualified.

Thought of the day: Be the donkey

Read Mark 11:1-11

Context:

This is during Passover so the city would have been full. Population could grow by a multiple of 3 during Passover.

Bethphage and Bethany: villages a couple miles outside of Jerusalem. Bethany was the village of Lazarus who Jesus would raise from the dead. Also the home of Simon the Leper. Also the home of Mary and Martha. Bethany may have been a community of the sick. When people would be removed from Jerusalem due to leprosy they found community in Bethany.

“The Lord needs it”

Hosanna! :Means “Lord, save us” or “the Lord saves”

Kingdom : They were expecting revolution against the Romans but Jesus was bringing revolution against sin and dead religion

Here’s the scene; here’s the metaphor

2 things we learn

There was nothing special about the donkey. They didn’t get the strongest donkey, the fastest, the most beautiful, not even a trained or experienced donkey. They went and got a normal run of the mill young donkey. Nothing special.

The donkey stayed unremarkable. After Jesus was done with it He sent it back. Could you imagine being that donkey. One day a couple guys come and get you and then you have God on your back. Covered in blankets. Everywhere you walk people are laying their cloaks and leaves on the ground. It would be tempting, even as a donkey, to think your something special. But it wasn’t special, just called.

That’s terrible exegesis so let me give you another anchor for this idea that’s more grounded:

Read Romans 10: 13-15

Conclusion:

To say I’m not qualified to be up here is true

How did I get here? I’m nuts.

Everything God asks me to do I say, “yes”.

He calls me to be a slave to my family, a servant to the church, to study and guide people in His word, to call out to Him every moment of the day, to fight with my anger, my lust, my idols, to throw off every weight and sin that slows me down. To take up my cross and humble myself. To get on all fours so that He can sit on my back and ride to His people and I say YES LORD!

Be crazy for God, it’s wonderful. You don’t need to be anything special you just have to be called and say Yes Lord.

If you have no idea what I’m talking about, if you have been calling Christ your Lord but acting like he’s nothing more than a friend offering advice, please don’t stay in that place. If you need someone to teach you how to say, “yes Lord” and walk at your side please let me know. We have several men and women in the church that would love to help you develop a full relationship with Christ.

Pray