Jesus Enters Town on a Donkey

After telling this story, Jesus went on toward Jerusalem, walking along ahead of his disciples. As they came to the towns of Bethphage and Bethany, on the Mount of Olives, he sent two disciples ahead, with instructions to go to the next village, and as they entered they were to look for a donkey tied beside the road. It would be a colt, not yet broken for riding.

“Untie him,” Jesus said, “and bring him here. And if anyone asks you what you are doing, just say, ‘The Lord needs him.’”

They found the colt as Jesus said, and sure enough, as they were untying it, the owners demanded an explanation.

“What are you doing?” they asked. “Why are you untying our colt?”

And the disciples simply replied, “The Lord needs him!” So they brought the colt to Jesus and threw some of their clothing across its back for Jesus to sit on.

Then the crowds spread out their robes along the road ahead of him, and as they reached the place where the road started down from the Mount of Olives, the whole procession began to shout and sing as they walked along, praising God for all the wonderful miracles Jesus had done.

“God has given us a King!” they exulted. “Long live the King! Let all heaven rejoice! Glory to God in the highest heavens!” (Luke 19:28-38, Living Bible)

Yes, these verses talk about Palm Sunday, and I know that isn’t until mid-April. But I wanted to spend the next six weeks writing about that one week between the day Jesus entered Jerusalem and the day He rose from the grave.

Okay, so let’s pretend it’s Palm Sunday. Jesus enters Jerusalem to the adoration of the locals. They had heard about how He had recently raised Lazarus from the dead, and they wanted to praise Him as their King.

We all know that story; we picture those palm branches waving and may still get a palm branch in church when we celebrate Palm Sunday. But I’m gonna back up a few verses.

Before entering the city gates, the disciples had borrowed a young donkey for their Master to ride. The owner of this equine asked them what they were doing. They answered as Jesus had instructed them – that it was for their Lord.

In this day and age, would we get away with that? Not if we were stealing that animal for fun or to sell for cash. And not even if we told the owner we were on a mission from God.

We live in different times. But we still need to listen for instructions from our Savior Jesus. He probably won’t tell us to get Him a farm animal. But if He tells us to witness to others or share our food with those in need, we should do that even if it makes us uncomfortable. Or maybe He will just tell us to open our Bibles and study His word more. That can be just as important.   

(Today’s pictures are of the mini-donkeys that my dear friend owned. You know the story of the cross on the donkey’s back, right? Click this link for one version of that story.)