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Why Did Jesus Ride A Donkey Into Jerusalem ?
By Rev (Dr) Timothy Tow
(Preached at Life BPC, Palm Sunday, 10.30 am service, 16 April 2000 )
Text: Phil 2:5-11
It was Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week, when our Lord rode a donkey in Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem . He received the Hosannas and worship that the multitude offered Him, especially the children. Jesus received this obeisance in order to fulfil that which was prophesied of Him, "Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass" (Matt 21:5).
This was a ceremonial entry to signify Christ's consummation of His three-fold ministry of prophet, priest and king. He has preached for three years to His people, and in a few days He will offer up Himself to die for our sins and when He rises again on the third day He will become King. Let us also join the children in singing Hosanna in the highest to welcome our King. Easter is not complete without this Palm Sunday Praise Service. When we praise Him in the highest, our Lord and King, then the Holy Spirit descends to bless us with joy and peace. And when the King rules in our hearts, all our sins and sorrows are dispelled.
Why did Jesus ride an ass and not a horse? Because He is the Prince of Peace and not of War. He comes in lowliness and meekness as symbolised by the animal He rides. The ass is thought to be a stubborn beast in the West, but far from it, the East regards it most highly as a patient, persevering burden bearer.
When we spent our six month sabbatical in the Holy Land in 1969-70, we came in contact most often with the ass. Except for his loud hee-haws in the morning, we never heard a sound from him while at work the whole day through. These patient and lowly beasts of burden would often carry their masters to market, sometimes with their wives. On the return journey they would go through rough country terrain heavily loaded with goods. We simply love to see them doing a hard day's job. Because we spoke nobly of them, when we left Israel to return to Singapore , the Palestinian Church presented us with a donkey badge. We understood the significance of this presentation—we are only servants and we must learn to be patient, meek and lowly like the ass.
Why did Jesus ride a donkey into Jerusalem ? According to Paul's statement, He who was equal with God, made Himself of no reputation, took upon Him the form of a servant (slave) and was made in the likeness of men. And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Jesus rode into Jerusalem humbly and meekly to die our death in order to give us life. He yielded Himself completely to His Father's will. He obeyed like a slave His master, doing not His will but the will of the Father. When nailed to the cross and reviled, He opened not His mouth. He prayed to the Father to forgive those who reviled Him for they knew not what they did. He gave His life to suffer for us to the uttermost.
Beloved, it is through His obedience and meekness that He has saved you and me from our sins. All our tears will never avail us if it were not for His death to pay for all our sin. Let us love Him the more as we realise how much He loves us.
"Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him" by raising Him from the dead. For on the third day He arose in great power and glory. And He showed Himself to the disciples ten times. He ate with them. He talked with them. He commanded them to go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature. After forty days He ascended in broad daylight to heaven, and now sits on the right hand of God the Father. And He is soon coming again to judge the world, the living and the dead.
Yes, "God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Phil 2:9-11). When Jesus comes again He will be seen riding a white horse (no more an ass) in great power and glory to subdue His enemies, "And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean" (Rev 19:14). And when He comes down to earth all His vanquished foes, all who rejected Him, must bend their knees to worship Him. And we who are His people, who have undergone temptation with Him, will rule with Him on earth for a thousand years (6 times mentioned in Rev 20). Can you say that of yourself?
In the light of His exaltation and our part with Him in heavenly places, why do we still set our affections on earth? Why do we so live as if we were living forever on earth? Why do we make ours a long-term policy? But I have only a short term policy. While we must work and earn a living, let us not regard our earthly life as if it is everything. Let us give God a portion of our time, energy and resources. Let us serve Him full-time, should He call us. Thank God, Life Church has two young ladies with tertiary education who are enrolled at Far Eastern Bible College next July as full-time students. They want to serve the Lord forever more, and they do not regard their earthly life as precious. They want to serve Jesus Christ, King of Kings and Lord of Lords. What will you do with Jesus? Is He who rides a donkey in Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem your coming king? (As God's Kingdom advances on earth He will require of us our earnest support. And you have done lovingly and dutifully so that Life Church is advancing on all fronts. The latest benefits our own selves. See all the airconditioning work around you to make it more comfortable for you in worship. A big bill is soon coming. May your Easter gifts be enlarged to extend this part of His Kingdom!) Amen.
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