The Stubborn Donkey

The Stubborn Donkey

Jesus told his disciples, “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.”  Matthew 21:2

Forty-some years ago, my children wanted a story about Palm Sunday and after some thought, I came up with this fictional story about the donkey that Jesus rode through the streets of Jerusalem.  The crowds lined the streets and threw down their cloaks on the ground.  They cut down palm branches and as He rode by they waved the branches and cried out, “Hosanna in the highest, Hosanna!”  Now for the rest of the story!

In a small village outside of Jerusalem, two donkeys stood in the heat of the day.  The larger of the two was the mother; the smaller was a colt that was her son. The mother donkey stood quietly and patient, but the colt stamped about; occasionally braying loudly.  “Will you ever learn to behave yourself,” asked his mother.  “The man who owns us will soon get rid of you if you continue to act like this.”

The colt refused to carry a rider or even a small load to the market place. He was so stubborn that many times he refused even move.  At other times, if someone came near he would kick up his hind legs just to frighten them off.  Yes, it was true; his owner would soon sell him if he was of no use.

This day the little donkey was even more restless than usual.  He had a feeling that something very exciting was about to happen so he stomped around and then he would bray loudly.  He told his mother how he felt, but she laughed and told him he had better calm down.  (It sounded like our parents and their children.)

A short time later two strange men came walking up to the donkeys and began to untie them.  The owner came running out of his house shouting, “What are you doing with my donkeys?”

“The Master sent us for them,” replied one of the men.

“And who is your master?” asked the owner.

“Jesus of Nazareth”, they answered.

The owner’s face softened and with a big smile he happily agreed they could borrow the donkeys as long as they were needed. You see, the owner had heard of Jesus and knew that he must have wanted his donkeys.  The men led the two donkeys down the road until they came to a large group of people standing around a tall, dark, kind-looking man.  The disciples told him, “Here are the donkeys, Master.  We think you should ride the big one who is quiet and well trained, but this colt is very frisky and has never been ridden.”

The Master looked at the donkeys as the mother donkey stood patiently waiting to carry the rider, but the colt pawed at the ground and brayed loudly.  Then Jesus laid his hand gently on the young colt.  “This is the one I will ride,” he said.  “No one is going to ride on me” thought the colt to himself.  Then the colt felt a gentle touch and heard a soft voice; he quieted down and stood still while the disciples placed their cloaks on his back.  He felt the strange weight when the Master carefully sat on him.  However, without a word of command the young donkey started down the road toward Jerusalem.

As they neared the city, crowds of people joined them shouting, “Hosanna in the Highest; Jesus, the Christ, the King of Israel.”  They went through the city waving palm branches and singing.  The little donkey held his head higher and began to prance.  He was so proud that he had been chosen to carry the King.

In the evening the colt was returned to his home.  He was so happy to see his mother and nuzzled her, then stood quietly.  His mother was amazed at the change in her son. “I can’t believe you would carry a man on your back,” said his mother.  The colt looked up at his mother with shiny eyes, “Mother, he wasn’t just a man.  He was the Son of God, Jesus Christ, our Lord.” 

At times we are like that little donkey, stubborn and restless.  Yet, when we feel the Master’s touch, our hearts are filled with love and joy, we too will wave palm branches and sing, “Hosanna to Jesus, King of the world.”

This is one of my favorite days at church, waving a palm branch and singing “Hosanna”.  Closing my eyes, I am taken back in time; I hear the crowds, feel the dust rising from the press of people.  I gaze on the face of Jesus as he goes by; my heart is thrilled and my faith is full.