Taming Your Donkey

I’m sure you’ve watched movies with horses and cowboys.  Here’s the scene: the cowboy slowly walks up to an untamed horse, talks to him, attempts to gain trust, then eventually attempts to “break” him.  This process can take time and the skilled wrangler knows that depending on the horse, this can be a tedious endeavor that requires patience. 

These horses don’t like sudden movements. You must take everything nice and easy.  Taming a donkey is very similar to the horse, except the donkey’s highest goal is self-preservation.  This means you must give the donkey more time to accept what’s going on and not rush it. 

We celebrate Palm Sunday all over the world.  It commemorates the first day of Holy Week, the week before Jesus’ crucifixion.  Jesus came to Jerusalem knowing his crucifixion would be in one week. On this particular Sunday, His followers welcomed him with a parade where coats and palm branches were thrown in His path.  He was riding on what many scholars believe to be a donkey (a colt can be a young donkey or horse).  

28-31 After saying these things, Jesus headed straight up to Jerusalem. When he got near Bethphage and Bethany at the mountain called Olives, he sent off two of the disciples with instructions: “Go to the village across from you. As soon as you enter, you’ll find a colt tethered, one that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it. If anyone says anything, asks, ‘What are you doing?’ say, ‘His Master needs him.’”

32-33 The two left and found it just as he said. As they were untying the colt, its owners said, “What are you doing untying the colt?”

34 They said, “His Master needs him.”

35-36 They brought the colt to Jesus. Then, throwing their coats on its back, they helped Jesus get on. As he rode, the people gave him a grand welcome, throwing their coats on the street.

Luke 19:28-35 MSG

12 The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. 13 They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting,

“Hosanna!”

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

“Blessed is the king of Israel!”

John 12: 12-13 NIV

Jesus knew his death was imminent, but he still wanted to teach us a lesson.  He could have borrowed a tamed colt to ride in the parade but instead, He chose the animal who was the most unruly and nervous.  One who would be frightened by the throwing of the palm branches and coats. One who would not even allow a blanket to be placed on his back, and absolutely resist anyone riding him.  

By this simple act God is saying, “If I can immediately control this unruly beast and then conquer death, surely,  I can tame and subdue anything that’s coming your way whether big or small.”

Just know He is the great I AM!  He can do ALL things!

Trust that He has EVERYTHING under His control. 

As we remember and celebrate Holy Week, know that just as Jesus overcame death, he can definitely handle your problems.  What stubborn, unmanageable problems do you need to give Him?  Will you trust that He is THE great I AM?