Visitors taking inventory of the volumes in my study library would find a growing collection of works covering the characters in the Bible. Herbert Lockyer’s All the Men of the Bible, Edith Deen’s All The Women of the Bible, Charles Swindoll’s Great Lives from God’s Word series—all reflect the value I find in studying Bible characters with their words, actions, and lessons learned. Scripture also includes a host of unnamed characters, people we might dismiss as extras or stagehands, yet their roles remain vital to the story. Let’s consider an unnamed character who supported Jesus on His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, a donkey!
Our character is a member of the animal kingdom’s genus, Equus asinus, better known as a donkey. This particular donkey roams through all four Gospel accounts including Matt 21, Mark 11, Luke 19, and John 12. The prophet Zechariah, writing about 500 years before Christ’s birth, shared these words:
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation, Humble, and mounted on a donkey, Even on a colt, the foal of a donkey. Zechariah 9:9 NASB
Beyond the incredible fact that this donkey played a part in fulfilling prophecy, he has much to teach us. My father wielded some well-used one liners including this gem, “Boy, you’re as stubborn as a bank mule.” Only now do I understand the origin of the term “bank mule.” Bank mules played a part in coal mining operations, pulling bins of coal from the mines along paths that often bordered creeks or rivers. They were known for their stubbornness and required much persuasion before bending to their master’s will. We need to swallow our pride and not emulate bank mules when it comes to learning lessons from a humble donkey.
Review Luke 19:28-35
The donkey was created for a specific purpose.
Countless donkeys trudged burdens across the Judean countryside. As easily overlooked as the package delivery vans in our own neighborhoods donkeys provided a necessary service but rated little attention. This donkey, tied beside his mother (See Matthew 21:2), had not yet been ridden but was ready to rise to his potential.
Believers, we may view each other or even view ourselves as nothing special, but God sees us differently. He, in fact, has designed our lives for a unique purpose. Have you considered that God has a role just for you? Have you discovered what part you are to play? Are you searching for your spot?
Consider these statements from Scripture:
You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you. John 15:16 NASB
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. Ephesians 2:10 NASB
Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity, 2 Timothy 1:8-9 NASB
Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Your book were all written The days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them. Psalms 139:16 NASB
The donkey was tied.
In his current state, tethered to the hitching post, the donkey had little to offer. He looked great and could hee-haw with the best of them, but his purpose, his potential, lay far beyond.
Many believers live life tied to the post, unable to step up and serve as God intended. Our hearts overflow with cares and worries. We’re preoccupied with personal plans, agendas, and goals. Our cargo may include a heaping load of unforgiveness, regret and disappointment. Toting that baggage saps the energy we might otherwise use for God. Our view of God can become cemented with the certainty that He only works certain ways. As a result we may miss His invitation to join Him.
Scripture warns about the high cost of worry:
“Be on guard, so that your hearts will not be weighted down with…the worries of life… Luke 21:34 NASB (Selected)
“The seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with worries and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to maturity. Luke 8:14 NASB
The donkey needed to be loosed.
Unless someone untied the donkey he would never play his role. If he relied on his own resources the rope would remain in place. I realize other possibilities existed such as bucking until the rope or the post gave way or chewing through the rope, but those are not the best options. The wisest solution for the donkey was to wait until his master released him.
Too often we bray and writhe to be free of the rope holding us down. With determination and disregard for the cost to those around us we struggle mightily. We scheme. We attempt our own solutions. And we find ourselves exhausted but still anchored in place.
God offers the best way, His way, for untying the rope:
Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken. Psalms 55:22 NASB
So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34 NASB
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6 NASB
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7 NASB
The donkey jumped at the chance to participate in God’s plan.
The last horse I rode held the dubious moniker, “Buck.” Not a good name for a horse, but thankfully he never lived up to his name though he did attempt to brush me off against the trees. Buck had a mind of his own and stopped when he felt like it. Only with much persuasion could I coerce giddy up out of him. All in all, my afternoon on Buck was not enjoyable.
Our donkey occupied a conspicuous spot in the triumphal celebration as Jesus rode into Jerusalem. The potential existed for the donkey to garner attention by bucking and braying and in general making a…donkey…of himself. He chose another path. Jesus was (and is) the center of attention and the One worthy of praise. The donkey played his supporting role well.
Do I dare say that we as believers need to make donkeys of ourselves?