The Triumphal Entry was a living sermon. Here was a new kind of king. No army, no wealth, no jewels, no violent revolution, no political insurrection, no blood being shed except His own. He will let the mob crucify Him, and let His death be a ransom for their sins. He came not in wrath to condemn and avenge, but, being "gentle", in mercy to save (JN 3:17).
His choice for a mount, a donkey, made a statement settling forever the kind of King He is. Our sovereign King is one of us. Donkeys were lowly pack animals. Jesus rode on a donkey because He wanted us to know He was accessible, easy to be touched. He was not elevated high above the crowd on a horse, but sat lower to the ground, near the people.
Jesus didn't desire much pageantry. His greatness flowed from inside Him. He had no need for varnish, veneer, ornaments, or fancy clothes. Jesus could have had any kind of animal He wanted, but in order to let His lowliness on our behalf be absolute, he chose a donkey, about which there is absolutely nothing glamorous.
Don't be dumber than a donkey. Donkeys are infamous for being hardheaded, but this stubborn creature was more compliant to Jesus than were the people He came to save. Don't go there. Better a praying saint than a braying donkey. Balaam showed what not to do (NB 22-24). He was more stubborn than his donkey, which had to talk for God.
Posts
