Once upon a time, there was a farmer. The farmer had a donkey; it was too small to do any work. The farmer planned to kill him, but his children begged that his life be spared. The little donkey was left tied to a tree on the road to Jerusalem. Later that day the farmer was approached by two men who told him that Jesus of Nazareth needed the donkey. The donkey – little esteemed by the farmer – was taken away for Jesus to use. Was he the chosen one? I wonder!
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The Nubian donkey has a cross on its back and it is said that it is one of this breed of donkeys that carried Jesus into Jerusalem.
A fable again, that the donkey knew Jesus very well; that whom he carried was facing a trial and much suffering. The donkey wished he could even have carried the cross for Jesus and borne his burden. He loved Jesus so much he followed him to Calvary; and he turned his head away as he could not bear to look at Jesus hanging on the cross.
The story goes on that his loyalty, humility, and passion for Jesus caused the shadow of the cross fall across his back. And there is the sign of the cross on the Jerusalem Nubian donkey, depicting – for all to see – the love of God.
It is said that the cross on the back of each Nubian donkey is different. No two are alike.
(credit: iStock)
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Leland P. Gamson who enjoys telling animal stories to children in his book ‘The Donkey Who Carried Jesus’ goes a little further and talks about ‘Katen’ a delightful colt, who was chosen by Jesus along with his mum. As they walked, the cheering crowd named him ‘Lokael’ meaning ‘The one who carries the Lord’.
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In ancient days donkeys were associated with royalty.
Judges 10:4 records one of Israel’s judges, ‘Jair’ who had 30 sons, rode 30 donkeys to 30 cities….
Judges 12:14 likewise mentions ‘Abdon’, who had 40 sons, and 30 grandsons who rode on 70 donkeys.
I Kings 1:33-44, David had his son Solomon ride his donkey to be anointed by the priest, thereby making him the rightful heir to his father’s throne.
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The donkey might be considered lowly. As a breed, they are mocked and derided by society in general. But mind you, he has a ‘secret’ which he keeps to himself. He has had his ‘hour of honor’ and ‘his moment in the sun’. Yes, indeed there was a time when Jesus chose him.
All four gospels of the Bible record the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem on a ‘colt’.
Mathew puts it differently (Matt 21:4-7); that Jesus rode on a donkey and a colt, a foal of a donkey. Alternately? Perhaps . Matthew no doubt was echoing the prophet Zechariah.
(Zech 9:9)
Rejoice greatly,
Daughter Zion!
Shout, Daughter Jerusalem!
See, your king comes to you,
righteous and victorious,
lowly and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
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On ‘Palm Sunday’, Jesus prepares to commence passion week – the week leading to his crucifixion – by entering Jerusalem atop a colt.
He selected two of his disciples and instructed them. They went into the village, found the colt, unridden, unbroken, and untied it. I am struck by the words that the disciples are given to say should their assignment be questioned; they would answer ‘The Lord needs it’.
God’s purposes are forever eternal. Do we heed His call and execute what he wishes us to accomplish, or do we remain fearful, stubborn and firmly tied?
The untied colt was brought, and cloaks were laid on him for Jesus to sit on.
Jesus was acclaimed by the people with joy and enthusiasm as they strewed their cloaks on the road and cut branches from trees, waved them, and spread them for him to ride on. (John records the details that the branches they cut were from palm trees John 12:13. (Palm (phoenix) -victory, eternal life.)
(Credit: Children’s chapel)
Jesus was hailed verbally too “Hosannah!” “Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord! “Blessed is the King of Israel!”.
Were they just loudly proclaiming ‘SAVE US’, a cry to save them from a system that took advantage of the poor and allowed the temple to be used to perpetuate injustice?
What are our thoughts as we wave palm branches on Palm Sunday? Do they take into account the current, not too cheery political scenario?
The Hosannas were loud but did not last long. Soon they turned into vehement cries – “crucify him”!
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We need to remember that the final entry of Jesus into Jerusalem was solemn and humble. He was the ‘King of Peace’ riding on a donkey in contrast to a war-waging king arriving on a horse.
Kings have found it necessary to force their way through crowds, riding rough shod, trampling on people in their quest to conquer the throne; but in contrast, none was hurt when Jesus came to Zion! Just boughs and palm fronds, shouts and songs when the King of Peace arrived!
Do we welcome Him or reject Him? He brings joy, peace and hope. Let’s allow Him to enter our hearts and dwell therein.
Does the Lord need me? Do I make a difference to Him, among the zillions on planet Earth? Could an Omnipotent God ever need anything or anybody?
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A favorite poem of mine by G.K. Chesterton collection ‘ The Wild Knight and Other Poems’ tells the story of the humble donkey from the donkey’s point of view:
When fishes flew and forests walked
And figs grew upon thorn,
Some moment when the moon was blood.
Then surely, I was born.
With a monstrous head and sickening cry
And ears like errant wings,
The Devil’s Walking parody
On all four-footed things.
The tattered outlaw of the earth,
Of ancient crooked will.
Starve, scourge, deride me: I am dumb,
I keep my secret still.
Fools! For I also had my hour.
One far fierce hour and sweet:
There was a shout about my ears,
And palms before my feet.
Hey, you Lokael! Aren’t you the lucky one!! Do you have a sign which says…I carried Jesus, the King of Peace!
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The author’s bio (in her own words):
# Medical Microbiologist. I love science. Aww! The freaking microbes are my best friends. You can call me a virus hunter too. Status quo for almost two decades. I love assisting physicians to efficiently diagnose and aid in healing humans. Basically an alumna of the CMC Vellore, my career trajectory led me to the vigorous Middle East; my profile was enhanced there, working alongside professional from the Royal Health Ministry. My “Aha” moments are when I’m engrossed in reading. How magically they steal my time! Currently a homemaker, I consider it a real privilege to debut as a guest in one of the remarkable weblogs I follow avidly!
I know you are curious; this is she:
Though “donkey” is in part the subject Sneha writes on, when it comes to rides, she prefers a much higher perch as you can see!
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