How many times have we read the stories in our bibles with obvious themes and yet missed some of the finer nuggets of gold subtly positioned between the lines?
I often refer to the written word of God as a deep treasure chest filled with gold and the rarest of beautiful gems waiting for the diligent seeker who is willing to open it, casting all presumption aside, and find what usually escapes the eye of the casual seeker.
One such treasure is found in the account of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem the week prior to His death, burial, and resurrection. Ok, I know it’s a few days past Palm Sunday, but bear with me. Here’s the story…
Now when they drew near Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Loose them and bring them to Me. And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of them,’ and immediately he will send them.” All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: “Tell the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your King is coming to you, lowly, and sitting on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey,’” So the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them. They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, and set Him on them. And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road. Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: “Hosanna to the Son of David! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ Hosanna in the highest!” And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, “Who is this?” So the multitudes said, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee.”
– Matthew 21:1-11 (NKJV)
You may have read this story more than once in your lifetime, but have you ever put yourself in the place of the donkey?
Here are a few observations of mine:
- Get untied! “…you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Loose them and bring them to me.” What holds you back from stepping into the full potential of all He’s purposed for you? Let Him find you and loose you from whatever ties you down. Sincerely ask Him to show you. He will.
- Understand that He needs you! “…you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of them…’” It’s hard to comprehend that Almighty God would need anyone, much less me, but He does. It has always been His plan to have us partner with Him in carrying His glory to the ends of the earth. He could certainly do it on His own, but He chooses us to be His carriers.
- Realize that, just like the donkey, you are a carrier of Jesus of Nazareth!
“So the multitudes said, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee.”
Nobody said, “Look! What a magnificent donkey!”
No, all eyes were on the Son of God.
His desire is that we carry Him everywhere. Just as the disciples carried Jesus to the world when they left the Upper Room, so we carry Him.
This Jesus who saves, we carry Him.
This Jesus who heals, we carry Him.
This Jesus who sets the captives free, we carry Him.
Now, be a good donkey, and carry Him!
Kevin