Be The Donkey

ILLUSTRATION: Tell a story about something being stolen. — OR — Tell a story about doing something you really didn’t want to do. Example: My illustration was about my car being stolen, since the opening of today’s passage has to do with the disciples being asked to steal a donkey.

— TRANSITION —

We all have a picture in our heads of what it looks like to follow Jesus. We attend church. We read our Bibles. We avoid listening to bad music. However, sometimes following Jesus means we have to do something really difficult. Sometimes following Jesus means we have to do something awkward.

Honestly, Sometimes following Jesus looks like doing something we don’t want to do. Today we are going to look at a story where following Jesus required the disciples to move out of their comfort zones.

Jesus started off holy week in an uncommon and unexpected way. He rode into the city on the back of a donkey. Not a white stallion or a monster truck. Jesus was sitting on a donkey! We can learn some valuable lessons from this bizarre story about livestock.

• This passage is known as Jesus’ Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem. It's often where we begin when discussing the story of Easter.

• It’s crucial that we put this event into context. The booming city was bustling with people buying lambs for the Passover.

• During this specific week, Jerusalem was likely the most populated city in the known world. It was like the Olympics times twenty. The Jewish Passover was a celebration of the anticipated fulfillment of God’s promises to His people.

• Ancient believers collectively reflected on the miracle in Exodus when their houses were “passed over” during the culmination of the ten plagues. Their ancestors were spared from tragedy due to the lamb’s blood marking their doorposts.

• Thus, the city had dedicated disciples on every corner, carrying sacrificial lambs that they’d bring to the temple to cover their sins.

• If they only knew the significance of this Savior on a donkey.

• They had inevitably paid an inflated price for a little lamb. They had no idea the lamb of God that would take away the sins of the whole world had just showed up in their town. The Messiah was coming down main street on a donkey. Jesus is the completion of the Passover— God’s ultimate promise to all of mankind.

ILLUSTRATION: A Wedding Ceremony (Add flowers or palms as a prop.)

• When we look at the story of Jesus coming into Jerusalem the week of His execution, we see something very similar to a wedding march.

• Let's think about weddings. The bride coming down the aisle is the most important part of any wedding.

• It’s a magical moment that little kids dream of from the time they are playing house with their Barbies and G.I. Joes. The tradition of the bride walking down an aisle covered in plants may seem a little random, but it’s full of century-old symbols.

• The Israelites threw their cloaks and palm branches on the cobblestone path as Jesus made his way into Jerusalem. While throwing flowers and waving branches, they cheered as they got their first glimpse of Jesus. Every seemingly random decision was designed to show respect and significance.

• Jesus knew that he would be betrayed, but he still went into that bustling city. He knew he would be beaten and murdered on a Roman cross. The same people shouting, “Hosanna!” will soon shout, “Crucify him!” Jesus knew what was ahead of Him, but He pushed forward anyway.

• His passion for you helped Him press on.

— TRANSITION — 

Let’s look at where this text starts — Jesus asked his disciples to pick up a donkey for his entry.

• Then I look at this passage and my heart skips a beat. Did Jesus just ask his disciples to commit grand theft donkey?

• Imagine Jesus asks you to steal a car — “It’s okay! The Lord needs it. I will bring it back.”

• When you follow Jesus, he is going to ask you to do some unbelievable stuff. Some crazy stuff. Some uncomfortable stuff.

— TRANSITION —

Look at this bizarre moment. Jesus sent his disciples into a village to steal a donkey.  We can learn so much from this strange exchange with a donkey and some disciples.

1. Jesus often asks us to do things we don’t want to do.

◦ This is the reality of following Jesus - he may send you into uneasy situations.

◦ Jesus isn’t looking for people who are perfectly capable. He is looking for people who are willing to get uncomfortable. He’s after people who are willing to run towards risk and do things that aren’t convenient.

◦ These disciples had to do something really inconvenient. The same is true in your life.

◦ It’s not convenient to give sacrificially to those in need.

◦ It’s not convenient to buy stuff at the store to give to others who need it more…

◦ It’s not always convenient to share your faith with someone…

◦ There is a whole list of things that God asks us to do that are major inconveniences.

◦ But God does not call us to a life of convenience. He calls us to a life of obedience.

◦ After the donkey, we can see where their obedience was a setup for city wide celebration. (Matt 21:8-9) ◦ Their risk lead to massive results.

◦ Run toward the risk. Move out of your comfort zone. God will meet you there.

• As we come to a close, I want to encourage you to "be the donkey."

• What am I talking about? It's kind of like the Easter version of a coach telling you to "be the ball."

ILLUSTRATION: Coaches saying to “Be the ball.”

• Why do coaches say this? I get what they’re saying: you need to put yourself in the place of whatever projectile you wish to hit. Coaches want you to concentrate. From football to frisbee, you always see coaches encouraging their athletes to embody inanimate objects. It’s strange. However, it’s a valid thought exercise— what can you embody to be your best self?

• When it comes to our spiritual lives, I have some strange coach style advice for you. I am not saying to “be the ball" or “be the frisbee." Instead, I am encouraging you to “be the donkey.”

• We need to be the donkey. Jesus preached that He was preparing a new Kingdom. One that was built on humility, service, and love. We have the opportunity to carry the Kingdom wherever we go. It is our responsibility to carry Jesus into our schools, cities, communities, and workplaces. We get to be the donkey.

• As Jesus was making his Triumphant Entry on the back of the donkey, never once did this donkey think this celebration was about him. The donkey is certainly important here, but he must have known that Jesus was the star of the show. He was just a willing vessel and vehicle.

• Whenever you do some good in this world, make sure it’s all about Jesus.

• Do not help someone in the community and look around waiting praise for yourself: it’s all about Jesus.

• Do not drop $100 in the plate and hope someone noticed: it’s all about Jesus.

• Don’t read your Bible for the first time in two months and spend half the time taking a good Instagram photo: it’s all about Jesus.

• Do not go on a mission trip and make your whole emphasis getting a good picture: it’s all about Jesus. It’s not about you.

• When we decide to be the donkey, we are deciding to carry Jesus into our city and focus on making Him famous.

TALK IT OUT 

Go through these questions with your circle. Be honest. Be open. Talk through the tough stuff.

What’s your favorite animal and why?

How do you think the disciples felt asking a stranger to borrow their donkey? 

When might we feel uncomfortable about something God asks us to do?

Have you ever done the right thing for God even though it was awkward or uncomfortable? How did it turn out?

What does it mean to “be the donkey?”

How can you make your good deeds about glorifying God instead of yourself?

What can you do this week to carry Jesus into your conversations, home, school, or community?

READ THESE PASSAGES IN ORDER EVERY DAY

Matthew 3:1—4:11

John 2:1–11

John 4:1–26

Luke 4:14–30

Luke 5:1–11

Do the following with each passage: 

ASK– God to connect with you here. In prayer, start by slowing down and inviting God to be present. Begin with focus and openness to see what God has for you today.

READ– the selected section of Scripture slowly. Take note of the words and phrases that intrigue you, reading them a second time if necessary.

REFLECT– on what grabs you. How does this passage personally relate to your own life and experiences?

RESPOND– to the Scripture. Speak directly to God about what’s on your mind and heart. Look for ways to live out what you’ve uncovered.