Triumphal Entry (2)
Mark's Donkey Obsession
While his gospel is known for its brevity and conciseness, Mark goes into a lot of detail on the donkey of the triumphal entry.
So what's the deal with the donkey?
I think there are three key lessons...
- The donkey symbolised peace. We have a fairly low view of donkeys but the Ancient Near East saw them more positively. The foal of the donkey was the mode of transport for the elderly or children. It would be the mount chosen by a prophet or a wise hermit. It was also the chosen mount of a victorious king. He would ride it into the city he had conquered. The message was clear: "The fight is over - I am victorious!" Riding a donkey was not the declaration of war. It was a statement of the certainty of peace. By riding in on a donkey on the Sunday, Jesus was showing what the outcome of Good Friday would be: Peace with God.
- The donkey hadn't been ridden. It was like he'd been set apart for his first job which was to carry the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Priestly items are often consecrated (set apart) and so the donkey reminds us that Jesus is our Great High Priest who offered the perfect sacrifice for our sins... He rides
this unridden donkey into Jerusalem and into our lives. He is God with us!
- Some scholars suggest that the interchange with the donkey was a prearranged meeting with codewords and passwords like we see in spy movies. Others (and I agree with them) suggest that God softened the hearts of the donkey's owners in the heat of the moment. This means that the donkey's owners became participants in Jesus' mission. The donkey reminds me that we also need to be ready to allow God to use our talents, possessions and time
Three great lessons from a donkey:
- Jesus came in Jerusalem confidently promising peace
- Jesus is our High Priest coming into our lives to save us
- We can participate in God's work with our "donkeys".
| As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, 2 saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 3 If anyone asks you, Why are you doing this?' tell him, The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.' " 4 They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, 5 some people standing there asked, "What are you doing, untying that colt?" 6 They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. (Mark11:1-5) |
