Sunday, March 28, 2010

donkey




Donkeys are sturdy, surefooted and have larger ears than horses and can be ridden. Although donkeys are more laid back than a horse, they are also self-preserving in nature. They prefer to do what is good for the donkey, which is not always what the human thinks is best. Donkeys can also make wonderful guard animals.

The Bible is replete of donkeys from beginning to end. I always love the true story of Balaams’s donkey that refused to go because he saw the angel and also was given words to speak. (Numbers 22:21-33) and then there is the story of the prophet’s donkey… a lion came and killed the prophet but did not eat him or harm the donkey. Both the donkey and the lion stood by the side of the road together being a silent witness, testifying that what had happed was from GOD (I Kings 13:23-29) But my favorite of all is how JESUS while walking toward Jerusalem from Bethany told 2 of his disciples to go in the village of Bethpage and that they would see a donkey tied with its colt beside it. “Untie it and bring it here and if anyone asks what you are doing say the LORD needs them and he will send them.” And it happened just as HE said. Then they threw garments over the colt and HE sat on it. This happened so that OT scripture would be fulfilled. (Matthew 21:1-7)

“Tell the people of Israel look your King is coming to you, HE is humble, riding on a donkey even on a donkey’s colt.” Matthew 21:5

You must give the disciples credit for obeying JESUS for can you imagine how the disciples must have felt? Literally, JESUS told them to go steal a donkey. A horse thief was hung in the early west.

….a large crowd who had come to Jerusalem for the Passover feast, when they heard that JESUS was coming to Jerusalem took branches of palm trees and went out to meet JESUS and began shouting, Hosanna, (GOD saves) blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD even the King of Israel. And JESUS finding a young donkey sat on it. (John 12:12-14)

A donkey is used as a symbol of peace-times while the horse usually symbolizes times of war. This time JESUS came on a donkey which fulfilled prophecy. Zechariah 9:9 Rejoice greatly o daughter of Zion; shout O daughter of Jerusalem: behold your King has come unto you, HE is just and having salvation; lowly, and riding a donkey, even on a colt the foal of a donkey.

JESUS came riding a donkey this time for HE was coming as the Prince of Peace.

HE is coming again. The next time HE will be riding a white horse followed by the armies of heaven on white horses for HE then will come as the KING of kings & the LORD of lords. (Revelations 19:11-16)

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