• About
  • Books
  • One Word
    • One Word
    • Shop One Word Cards
  • Cousin Camp
  • Speaking
  • Audio
  • Blog
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
Susan Alexander Yates

Susan Alexander Yates

Wisdom for Every Season

  • Character
  • Faith
  • Family
  • Seasons
  • Marriage
  • Parenting
  • Cousin Camp
  • Ask Susan

What’s the big deal about a donkey?

by Susan Alexander Yates

 

As Holy Week approaches, I’m thinking about donkeys. Strange? Perhaps.

Yet it was a mere donkey that played a major role in the events of Holy Week. As Jesus approached Jerusalem on his way to be crucified he sent 2 of his disciples to a village instructing them that they would find a colt, which no one had ridden, tied at a doorway. They were to untie it and bring it to him. It was to be this donkey that Jesus rode into the city on what we call Palm Sunday. All 4 gospels tell this story about the donkey. In the light of the huge event that was about to take place what was the big deal about a little donkey?

Approximately 500 years earlier Zechariah had predicted that the king would come seated on a donkey (Zechariah 9:9). The gospel of John reminds us of this. It was not a random thing that just happened. It was foretold-just one of the many prophecies that was to be fulfilled surrounding the death of Jesus. In fulfilling this prophecy Jesus adds to our assurance that He was the expected King.

But there is so much more.

Jesus makes a point of telling the disciples this donkey has never been ridden. An unbroken donkey (or colt) is not nice. It would buck like crazy if someone got up on him. It would not react kindly to a blanket being thrown on its back, and the waving of branches would make it very skittish. Yet Jesus subdues this donkey. If Jesus has the power to subdue even an animal, how much more can He subdue me, my children, those around me? His power is specific and complete.

Jesus also tells the disciples how to respond if someone asks why they are taking the donkey. He tells them to say,” The Lord needs it.” As I contemplate this I am reminded that Jesus is a God of detail. He is a God who goes before us to prepare our way. He is not capricious. He has considered the future and prepared for our every contingency. He has thought of everything. He knows what we will need and when and He will provide. I need not fear.

Imagine the owner of the donkey and their friends. What must they have thought? “This man is crazy to want to ride this animal.” What about the disciples? Can’t you just hear them saying, “He wants us to do what? “ Just imagine the people who witnessed this small incident, marveled and perhaps were brought to the place of considering, “Maybe He is the King.” I love the way Jesus involves many people in His work. Life isn’t just about me and my stuff. Whatever He is doing it’s about something so much bigger than I.  

And I can‘t help but think about that donkey, a creature of God. Perhaps this dusty, smelly, funny looking creature knew who He was carrying and became subdued. Scripture says that all creation will praise Him. Yes, I suspect He knew. After all He knew Jesus loves animals. And Jesus had chosen him. Jesus loves His creation and takes joy in it.

In this holy season take time to use your imagination, to insert yourself into the story, to wonder what it would have been like, to imagine yourself as one of the characters and in all of this to notice what this story reveals about the character of Jesus and how it applies in your life.

When our children were young we had a tradition of acting out the story of Easter. Each child and adult was given a character to portray. We had to fashion our own costumes with whatever we could find on the spur of the moment around the house- an old red bathrobe for a robe, a broom for a staff. It was hilarious but it was also a way of entering into the story and it provided an opportunity of discussing those feelings and details we so often miss in the familiar big picture. One of the gifts God has given us in being created in His image is the gift of imagination. Let’s use this gift in our own lives this week to contemplate-in a deeper way- His last days and let’s nurture creative imagination in our children’s lives to help them enter into His story, their hope.

 

Save this post on Pinterest:

Share761
Pin28
Tweet
Email
Print
789Shares
Share761
Share
Pin28
Text
789Shares

You may also enjoy...

Easter
March 20, 2018 · 13 Comments

« Lessons from a Foggy Day
Easter is over. Now what? »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Comments

  1. Alejandro says

    December 12, 2022 at 12:40 pm

    Thank you for sharing this story about the unbroken donkey. I had heard this story about how difficult it would have been for anyone to ride a colt (unbroken) and how the locals would have been amazed at how Jesus had power over an animal which could not be tamed or too young to be broken. I have heard that it would have been easier for Jesus to ride a bull or even a lion than a colt (donkey). The witnesses in the town would have been amazed at this sight but modern day people are not aware of what was common knowledge at the time. I must have searched for at least 10 different sources before I found yours and I thought I would encourage you to write more about this special colt, in addition to how Abraham also brought a donkey on his 3 day journey to sacrifice his only beloved son. GOD is so wonderful and marvelous to reveal these gems in scripture.

    Reply
  2. Sam Ferguson says

    March 28, 2018 at 2:41 pm

    Loved this blog, Susan! And this was one of my favorite insights: “And I can‘t help but think about that donkey, a creature of God. Perhaps this dusty, smelly, funny looking creature knew who He was carrying and became subdued. Scripture says that all creation will praise Him. Yes, I suspect He knew. After all He knew Jesus loves animals. And Jesus had chosen him. Jesus loves His creation and takes joy in it.”

    Yes, even the donkeys, birds, horses and house cats recognize their Maker.

    Reply
  3. Lisa PaYne says

    March 27, 2018 at 11:16 am

    Susan, thank you for such a beautiful reminder of Gods great love for us. So blessed to have crossed your path on our Women’s Retreat!!!

    Reply
  4. Wendy Ligon says

    April 14, 2017 at 10:01 am

    Interesting, I’ve never thought of this before. I assumed all donkeys were calm like Eor from Winnie the Pooh. Great observation in the comments about the cross down the back of the donkey!

    Reply
  5. Wanda says

    April 13, 2017 at 12:28 pm

    And don’t forget the fact that a donkey was also particularly mentioned in the trip Mary and Joseph made to Bethlehem. Although for Mary’s sake, I hope that one was not a colt.

    Reply
  6. Dot Andrews says

    April 12, 2017 at 8:06 pm

    As many times as I have read and heard the Palm Sunday arrival, I had never thought about a donkey who had never had a passenger however I have been thrown off one when I was 9 years old! I certainly recall he did not want me on his back!!!! What a marvelous image to envision Jesus on the back of a subdued donkey! I love having this brought to my attention Thank you and Blessings-

    Reply
  7. Susan Yates says

    April 6, 2017 at 1:18 pm

    OH Teresa,
    I didn’t!!!! That is WAY COOL! Thanks for sharing this!
    love, susan

    Reply
  8. Teresa Dodd says

    April 5, 2017 at 7:35 pm

    And did you know God placed a cross on the back of the donkey? There is a black stripe down his back and over his shoulder blades ❤️

    Reply
  9. Joy says

    March 24, 2016 at 1:09 pm

    Love your unique insight and wisdom Susan. Miss you.

    Reply
  10. Shannon Davis says

    March 24, 2016 at 10:06 am

    Thank you for this new insight I’ve missed all these years. It is definitely something to ponder and be in awe of mighty God’s power. I love how you said, God can subdue the wild donkey and how He has the power to rule our hearts too. I love to see God’s power displyed in my life and the lives of others. Great lesson.

    Reply
  11. Wardy Thompson says

    March 23, 2016 at 2:58 pm

    Susan, Great message as usual. Hope you and John and that small family of yours are well and have a great Easter. We sure miss seeing

    you and our great times together at T.C. All is well here. I turned 91 this March and Stella will be90 in May. Still playing golf and tennis but miss T.C. Hope we will see you someday in the near future. Much love to you both. Wardy

    Reply
  12. Careen Strange says

    March 21, 2016 at 3:54 pm

    I needed this word. Thank you, Susan.

    Reply
  13. Victoria Pope says

    March 17, 2016 at 3:13 pm

    Loved this!! Thank you so much Susan!!

    Reply

Hello, I’m Susan.

Susan Alexander Yates

I’m a wife (of more than 50 years), mom to five children (including a set of twins), and grandmother to 21 (including a set of quadruplets!). My favorite time of the year is when all my kids and grandkids are together for a week of “cousins and family camp” in the foothills of the Shenandoah Mountains of Virginia.

Read more…

Recent Posts

  • Good News: Growing as a Christian is Not About Trying Harder
  • Why Thank-You Notes Matter
  • He’s More Than a Baby in a Manger: Jesus, Our Living God
  • You Don’t Need to “Play God”: Reminders from the Christmas Story
  • How to Transform Your Thanksgiving This Year With Outrageous Gratitude

One Word

One Word: Sufficient

Featured Book

Cousin Camp

Cousin Camp
Buy This Book Online
30% Off
Buy from Amazon
Buy from Barnes and Noble
Buy from Christian Book Distributor
Buy from Lifeway
Buy from Books-A-Million
Buy from GoodReads
Cousin Camp
Buy now!

Barbara & Susan’s Guide to the Empty Nest: Discovering New Purpose, Passion & Your Next Great Adventure

Barbara & Susan’s Guide to the Empty Nest: Discovering New Purpose, Passion & Your Next Great Adventure
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
Buy from Amazon Kindle
Barbara & Susan’s Guide to the Empty Nest: Discovering New Purpose, Passion & Your Next Great Adventure
Buy now!
  • Certainty In Christ
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • Media Kit
  • Privacy Policy
  • Site Index

Search

Cousin Camp

Cousin Camp
Buy This Book Online
30% Off
Buy from Amazon
Buy from Barnes and Noble
Buy from Christian Book Distributor
Buy from Lifeway
Buy from Books-A-Million
Buy from GoodReads
Cousin Camp
Buy now!

Popular

  • How Do You Do It? (Questions for a Mom of Quads)
  • Teenagers Rule at Family Camp: Messy, Crazy, and Oh…
  • Is Resentment or Bitterness Building in Your…

In the bleak midwinter everything is . . . bleak. In the bleak midwinter everything is . . . bleak. But underneath the gloom God is preparing a beautiful garden which will burst forth at just the right time (swipe right!). God is working while we are waiting.
One Word: Everlasting Arms One Verse: “The e One Word:  Everlasting Arms
 
One Verse:

“The eternal God is your dwelling place,
and underneath are the everlasting arms.
And he thrust out the enemy before you
and said, ‘Destroy.“ (Deuteronomy 33:27)

One Thought:

God I love it that you gave your children simple pictures to understand complicated truths. Thank you for your everlasting arms that are under me, under _____ right at this moment. Place this picture in the front of my mind as I live this day.
Did you know that we can't succeed at spiritual gr Did you know that we can't succeed at spiritual growth on our own? We can't just grit our teeth and make ourselves more like Christ? ⁣
⁣
This was a surprising lesson for me as a new believer!⁣
⁣
Read about it in my devotional on @club31women this week. Link in bio, or go to club31women.com/devotional/
One Word: Broken One Verse: And he took bread, One Word: Broken
 
One Verse:

And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” Luke 22:19

One Thought:

There is so much brokenness in our world. I am broken. So is _____. One thing all humans have in common is our brokenness. Jesus, you are intimately familiar with brokenness. Your body was broken for me, for _____. You understand the pain of brokenness but it is in your brokenness that we can begin to experience wholeness.
Recently I’ve been thinking about a new personal Recently I’ve been thinking about a new personal discipline I want to adopt in this new year. I want to do one thing every day for someone else. It’s a practical application for loving our neighbors as ourselves. It also enables us to get our focus off our selves and onto someone else and this brings us joy. It might be a text or email or postcard or call or cookies left on someone’s front door. This joy of giving fills our cup. It’s also a great thing to involve your whole family in. It helps our kids learn to be other-centered rather than self-centered. Two special friends just sent me these flowers and they have brought me great great joy. Thank you for choosing to bless me. I have learned from your generosity.
One Word: Mystery One Verse: “To them God ch One Word: Mystery 
 
One Verse:

“To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Colossians 1:27
 
One Thought:

You are a God of mystery. It’s a glorious mystery. I can’t explain you even though sometimes I want to. Your mystery is part of what makes you so much greater than man. Thank you that you, with all of your glorious mystery, have chosen to dwell in me.
It’s so much fun to give away some of our old tr It’s so much fun to give away some of our old treasures! I just gave my old Girl Scout badge sash to my young friend Helen, who is a Girl Scout. It brought both of us so much joy and reminded me of how special it is to give things away. I  highly recommend it.

#girlscout #girlscouts
I received this pic and note from one of my nieces I received this pic and note from one of my nieces last week:⁣
⁣
'Your post on thank you notes this morning validated all of my efforts this week!! Look what's sitting on my kitchen counter. Only one more child to go!  Thank you for the good reminder of why we do this!'⁣
⁣
Have your kids gotten their notes done?⁣
⁣
I know it's work to get our children to write thank-you notes, but it's so important! Check out my blog this week for the reasons behind this and some ideas to help make it happen.⁣
⁣
Link in bio or go to susanalexanderyates.com.
One Word: Shows ⁣ ⁣ One Verse:⁣ ⁣ “But G One Word: Shows ⁣
⁣
One Verse:⁣
⁣
“But God shows his love for us in that while we were sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8⁣
⁣
 One Thought:⁣
⁣
If you, God Almighty, would send your Son to die for me in my own wickedness, then how much more will you show me how to make the decision I need to make.⁣
⁣
⁣
#oneword #onewordcards #christianwomen #christianfaith #bedeeplyrooted #womenintheword #shereadstruth #womenoftheword #belovedlife #womenoffaith #gritandvirtue #choosejoy #lampandlight #biblestudy #shepaintstruth #bibleverse #bibleverses #bibleverseoftheday #scriptureoftheday #scriptureart #bibleverseart #dailyverse #dailydevo #dailydevotion #dailydevotional #dailydevotionals #verseoftheday #biblequotes #illustratedfaith #scripture

Copyright © 2023 · Susan Alexander Yates · All Rights Reserved
Calligraphy by Jessica Blanchard · Paintings by Christen Yates
Blog and Ask Susan Photo by Natalie Puls Photography · Books Photo by Cambria Elizabeth

FREE Ebook: 100 Activities for Your Kids!

I have a gift for you! Camp at Home includes 100 things for you to do with your kids of different ages, from toddlers to teens.
Join my email list now to get Camp at Home for FREE!

789Shares
789Shares