LENT 2016 - GOING TO JERUSALEM

Monday, February 25

Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem - Matthew 21:  1 – 12

            As a child I once rode a donkey at the Belleville Fair. It was nothing remarkable. Mind you I was going round in circles, being led by the donkey’s handler. Donkeys are reputably supposed to be stubborn but mine was pretty docile and obedient. If anything he seemed kind of bored; as if he could care less who was riding. I think he had two speeds, slow and stop.

            I wonder what would be the modern equivalent of a donkey if Jesus rode into town today. What vehicle would be humble enough to carry our Lord? A bicycle, perhaps. At least, a bike would be environmentally friendly. Whatever he might choose, it would still underscore his humility, meekness and vulnerability.

            That seemed to be the point in Jesus’ choice of a donkey, a lowly beast of burden. Kings don’t ride donkeys. In those days they rode big, feisty, noble Arabian stallions, the best out of the royal stables. What’s the point of bring a king if one can’t show off?

With his feet dragging on the ground, a man just can’t look very kingly atop a donkey. We might expect a complaining hee-haw at any time. What if the donkey had stopped in the middle of the road, refusing to budge another inch?

            Jesus is not much for stereo-typical appearances. This “king” is not your typical champion by any means. He eschews grandeur; forfeits kingly accruements, acts more like a servant, mingles with the unwashed and the local riff raff and ends up with a crown of thorns for his efforts. In fact, if Jesus had ridden a war-horse, he would have been perceived as no different than the Roman officers and soldiers who rode around the city flaunting their superiority and advantages.

            So Jesus rides into town on a borrowed donkey.

            “Look, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey…” (21:5) Matthew is quoting the prophet Zechariah.

            How much trouble can one man on a donkey really cause?

            It’s almost laughable.

Charge!