Have you ever wondered why Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, rode into town on a donkey more than two thousand years ago? There was no champion thoroughbred, no luxurious chariot…just a donkey. The King of Kings entered Jerusalem on the back of a donkey just for you and me. He did it to carry out His Father’s plan that included a difficult journey from the cross to the grave. This journey of love began with a triumphant entry and transformed into a sorrowful crucifixion. Think about how Jesus must have felt, riding a donkey, knowing all the while that He would be crucified by the very people His Father created. One day, they were waving palm branches as He rode into town. A few days later, they would be waving their fists, shouting, “Crucify Him!” And to think, it all started on a donkey.

I wonder if Jesus ever questioned, “A donkey???” Did He ever think, “Come on, Father, you’ve got to be kidding?” Surely there must have been the slightest bit of hesitation when the Savior of the world was being asked to ride into town on a borrowed donkey. While Jesus may have never questioned this minor detail, I am sure that my often outspoken, human self would have had something to say about that. I know there are times in my life when I wonder why God gives me a donkey, so to speak, when I have requested a faster and more comfortable mode of transportation. Sometimes, God does not hand us exactly what we want on a silver platter. Instead, He gives us the things we need. Rather than giving us a “fast pass” through life, He wants us to trust Him to provide what we need when we need it. And Jesus Christ trusted His Father completely.

Jesus knew that God would only ask Him to do what He could realistically accomplish. Although He may have questioned the events relating to His crucifixion, He remained steadfast in His love for His Father, fulfilling His Father’s plan. Even unto death, Jesus carried out the will of God. Jesus knew that He was the only Perfect Sacrifice. He knew that a world without His crucifixion meant that all would be lost forevermore. He knew that you and I needed a Savior. As the old song says, “He could have called ten thousand angels, but He did it all for you and me.” He knew He could not back out at the last minute…to do so would have changed the world for eternity. And in effect, it would have put an end to the notion of eternity for you and me. If Jesus had not trusted His Father, there would be no way for us to have our sins washed away and there would be no means of getting into Heaven. If He had not given His life for us, the end of our life on this earth would literally be just that - the end.

Thanks to God’s amazing love for us, and the love His Son Jesus has for us, we have hope for eternity. If you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, you will live forever. John 3:16 (ESV) says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” Jesus doesn’t want us to live without hope. He doesn’t want us to see death as the ill-awaited doomsday of our life. And He doesn’t want us to fear the future. Instead, He wants us to cherish the time we have on this earth, all the while, joyfully awaiting the moment we walk into Heaven’s gates. He wants us to believe that He is the Son of the Living God. If you believe this to be true, you will not die, but live. I Thessalonians (NIV) says, “He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.” Jesus wants to walk beside you on this earth, and when your earthly life is over, He wants you to live with Him in Heaven. If you have asked Jesus to be the Lord of your life, you have a life filled with hope. You have the hope of eternity.

So, the next time you see a donkey, think about the animal that, over two thousand years ago, carried the King of Kings upon its back. And the next time you wonder why God chose a donkey, take a closer look at the donkey’s back. I know that God, the Creator of this hard-working creature, must have seen the significance in the design upon its back: a cross. Since the beginning of time, God knew that His only Son would ride upon a donkey on His journey to Calvary’s cross. He knew that His only Son would die for every man, woman, boy, and girl. And yes, He knew that some people would love Him, and He knew that others would reject Him. He knew that the name of Jesus would be praised and adored, and other times, this holy name would be criticized and mocked. Yet, He did it all, just for you and me. Jesus Christ loves you unconditionally. Will you love Him in return?

In Christ’s Love,
Jennifer

("A Donkey" was originally published April 17, 2011.)