Ever wondered why the donkey? In those times, a king would come on a horse to wage war but, on a donkey during peace. Jesus, knew what awaited Him in Jerusalem. He knew about the revolt, the plotting, the conspiracy, the betrayal and the pain that was coming. Yet, Jesus the king, rode into His destiny, offering peace and relief to His Kingdom, riding on a donkey.
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What a joyful day it must have been for the donkey. His first job was to carry the king! While all his donkey friends were exercising and building muscles for donkey labor, our donkey, was enjoying his youth besides his mother. His friends ran from pillar to post, with their resumes and letter of recommendation in their mouth, but here was this donkey, listening to stories from his mother. He saw his friends toiling in the fields; carrying spices and figs up the hill; working for a hard master and here he was, carrying the king.Have you been in a place where you are polishing your skills, gathering certifications, collecting recommendations and finding yourself toiling in the fields? And then comes along a newbie and gets that prestigious job? You are left wondering, what is it that I lack? The universe seems to be just an unfair place.
It might seem like the donkey had to do nothing and that will be true to a large extent. He simply got picked up. Why? The Bible does not answer that. It gives not information about why this donkey. But notice, how the donkey was willing when the opportunity came. When the disciples untied him, he did not resist. Donkey, characterised of being stubborn and lazy, showed no resistance whatsoever. He was willing to let go of the comforts of standing in the cool shade and carry the king. When Jesus calls you, are you willing? Are you willing to let go of your comfort zone and go where He calls you.
He made himself available. What qualifications did this donkey have? The Bible does not tell us anything about it because your qualification are not important. God does not see your abilities. He sees your availability. He choses you and when he choses you, He will give you all you need to do His work. Are you denying opportunities because you do not have the qualification required?
With the little you are, are you available when He calls? Have you made it easy to be used for His Kingdom?
When they bought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, He sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches from the tree.
If you are willing, if you are available for the master, you will get what no one else has. It won't matter who you are or who you were. What will matter is are you willing to be used? Joy will abide in you and for ages to come, you will be spoken of.
But what happens to the donkey next? Does he go on humbly working like every other donkey. The bible has no more reference of this donkey.
Did you know, donkey has more than 19 reference in the Bible?
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What would you and me do if we were that chosen donkey? Assuming he was just like us. He went to his friends boasting, "welcome me. Lay your clothes and branches and make my way royal." His friends began despising him. He then went to the well and called out to the women drawing water, "Lay my path with clothes and branches as I come. Don't you know who I am?" But the maids shooed him away. Angry he said, you ignorant women, you foolish people, do you not know who I am? I am the one before whom you laid branches." They shooed him now with sticks and stones. He then decided, let me go to the place where people are educated and smart. They will surely know who I am. So he went to the market and brayed, "lay my path with your cloak and branches, for you surely know who I am." But the kids and men came and chased him out of the market. Disheartened he returned to his mother. Crying he complained, "these witless people, imprudent natives, a blind generation, they know nothing. They shooed me away! Me. Don't they know who I am? I am no ordinary donkey, I am the one before whom they laid branches yesterday. His mother heard him cry and complain and then tenderly said, "dear child, always remember what Jesus said, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you abide in me and I in you, you will bear much fruits; apart from me you can do nothing."You can do nothing without Jesus. Your strength, skills, knowledge, wealth ... you cannot rely on it. Everything that you have and boast of, comes from Jesus. They are all worth and will bring you laurels only as long as your walk in His presence. As long as you abide in Jesus, as long as your work honours Him, you will bear results. Let me encourage you today, be the one who boasts not on who he is, but who he carries on His back.
Prayer: Father I thank you for sending me Your Son. Praise be unto you oh Lord! who came riding on a donkey to take my sin and shame. As a blemish less lamb sacrificed to redeem me with your precious sacrifice. I thank you for I am a chosen generation, a royal priest. Fill me with your Holy Spirit, that I may know my purpose on Earth. May I forever abide in you and You in me. Fill my heart with the desire to seek Your kingdom and to glorify your name. Be magnified oh Lord in my life. May I forever be willing and available to work for your Glory. Let me not rely on my strengths or ability, but on You alone. Teach me not to boast but understand that everything I have is a gift from above. Freely I have received from You, teach me how to freely give. May you increase in my life and I decrease. Thank you that you equip me with everything I need for my journey. To you be the glory and honor forever and ever. Amen.
