View From The Donkey
Zech. 9:9; Matthew 21:1-11

(this passage known as the Triumphal Entry)

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)

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…]

This is yet another fulfilled OT prophecy, a very specific one…

Zech. 9:9 [on screen]

    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.

Let’s 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 the donkey 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:

• 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

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).
 

• 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

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…).
 

• V. 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

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

• 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!/send ravens to feed a prophet!/rooster crowed 3x’s] 

Just as God allowed a donkey to speak in the OT, He made another unlikely situation work out, that people would just give their property away to someone they don’t know, for no good reason, as Matthew says.  Further, Mark’s gospel says this donkey had never been ridden before.  Does this tell you anything, you who know about animals?

ill.--on vacation a few years ago my wife had an opportunity to ride a horse, and she was very excited.  Well, as soon as she got on, the horse started going round and round in circles, and she was trying to hang on but slipped and was falling off the side, screaming, with a crowd of onlookers.  I panicked and didn't know what to do.  Just then the manager of the K-Mart came out and unplugged it!

This donkey in our text is not tame, and I can tell you you’d have to have dominion over the animals, as their Creator, for this to work out. 

Psalm 8:6-8
⁶ Thou madest him [man] to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:
⁷ All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field;
⁸ The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.

If you have dominion over nature you will be able to walk on water, calm a storm, or heal with a touch.  You'll be able to send a fish with a coin in its mouth to a friend so he can pay his taxes!

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

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.
 

• 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 one 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

    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

    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

   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!