The Stubborn Donkey

The Stubborn Donkey

“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

Many 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, her son, was a colt.  The mother donkey stood quiet and patient, but the colt stamped about; occasionally braying loudly.  “Will you ever learn to behave yourself,” asked the mother.  “The man who owns us will soon get rid of you because you are naughty.”

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 to even move.  At other times, if someone came near he would kick up his hind legs just to frighten them.  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.  He told his mother how he felt, but she only brayed loudly, which is the way donkeys laugh. 

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 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.

The men led the two donkeys down the road until they came to a group of people standing around a tall, dark, kind-looking man.  “Here are the donkeys, Master.  We think you should ride the big one who is quiet and well trained.  The colt is very frisky and has never been ridden.”

The Master looked at the donkeys as the mother stood patiently waiting to carry the rider, but the colt pawed at the ground and brayed loudly.  “No one is going to ride on me” said the colt to himself.

Then Jesus laid his hand gently on the young colt.  “This is the one I will ride,” he said.

The colt felt the gentle touch and heard the soft voice; he quieted down and stood still while the disciples placed their cloaks on his back.  The, he felt the strange weight when the Master carefully sat on him.  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 sing.  The little donkey held his head higher and began to prance.  He was so proud 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.”

“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 King Jesus, Savior of the world.”

Palm Sunday 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.