| THE DONKEY Matt. 21:1-11 |
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| The donkey (called the ass in the Bible) was one of the most important domestic beasts known in ancient times. While it is true that the donkey was not generally eaten except in times of extreme starvation (2 Kings 6:25), the donkey played a key role as the primary beast of burden. With the donkey the fields were plowed, the produce hauled, and transportation provided. The horse was not used very much for any of these purposes. In fact very few ancient people even owned horses. In temperment and ability the donkey was the perfect beast of burden. This explains why wealth was not only measured by how many cattle and sheep one possesse but also by how many donkeys he owned. The donkey in the Bible is the picture of teh servant and as such offers several parallels for the servants of Jesus Christ to emulate. I. As a Servant the Donkey is Humble Matt. 21:5 is a quotation of Zech 9:9. The picture is unmistakable. Our Lord instead of being presented in royal procession with regal steed and lavish saddle, He presents Himself to the nation of Israel in a lowly state by riding upon a borrowed donkey with borrowed garments for a saddle. The point is quite clear. This was the mind of Christ and ought to be the mind of the servants of Christ. See Phil. 2:5-8. No one can ever be an effective servant until he is willing to take a servants position with a servants attitude. There is no room for pride either of person or of accomplishment. The very moment we become puffed up with pride we begin to take glory that belongs to God and we cease immediately to be servants. See Col. 1:18 and 1 Corth. 10:31. II. As a Servant the Donkey is Available "....theLord hath need of them" (Matt. 21:3) Samson used the jawbone of an ass because it was available. All the ability in the world will not make up for a lack of availabliity. Not a great deal of preparation is necessary in order to use a donkey. He is always ready; just need him. See Rom. 12:1 III. As a Servant the Donkey is Dependable See Num. 22:22-23. This donkey out of loyalty and good sense saved Balaam's life from sure death. Note the comment of vs. 30 "..was I ever wont to do so unto thee? And he said, Nay" "The greatest ability is dependability." - Dr. Bob Jones, Sr. See 1 Corth. 4:1,2. IV. As a Servant the Donkey is Adaptable Donkeys are found almost nywhere in the world. In many of the under developed countries, they are still the primary beast of burden. Donkeys adapt well to all kinds of climates. So it is with the servant of God. He reports for duty and lets God decide just what and whwere that duty wil be performed. It matters not to the donkey and ought not to matter to us. This is indeed that "living sacrifice" priniple of Rom. 12:1. Many have championed the myth that donkeys are notoriously stubborn and rebellious. This is not really true where they are kindly treated, and God always treats his servants well. Though the load we are called upon to carry may be heavy and way may be hard, God never abuses His servants in the way. V. As a Servant the Donkey is Durable The donkey is to be perferred over the horse as a beast of burden, not only because he has a much more patient and not nearly so high strung in temperment, but also because the donkey lives nearly twice as long as the horse (anywhere from 25 to 50 years). God is in need of servants with longevity, who will not quit. Imagine the little donkey on which our Lord rode dodging and climbing over branches and coats thrown in his way by the cheering crowd. Yet he persisted and delivered Jesus safely to the end of the path. Mny a servant starts well but does not finish the job. We must emulate the example of that great servant of God, Paul. See 2 Tim. 4:6,7 |
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