“As they approached Jerusalem and came to the Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of His disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back shortly.'” (Mark 11:1-3 NIV)
When I was a little girl, I loved the idea of horses. My eldest cousin Sara (whom I adored) rode competitively and I thought that might be the most romantic pastime in the world. Of course I had read Black Beauty and had logged many hours with my equestrian edition Barbie and the whole bit. All until my cousin fell from a horse and abandoned the hobby altogether. Being five years younger, I took all cues from my heroine cousin and if she was over horses, so was I.
As an adult, I have had a few opportunities to ride, but I have found the mounting and dismounting situation daunting. I’m not a fan of insecure heights; scaffolding, leaning ladders or rickety bridges and horses feel less secure than all of those factors combined. They just make me nervous and then I’ve read that animals can sense when we’re nervous and I’m like “Cool, that makes two of us.” The last time I rode horseback was with and for my mother. She was delighted. I endured it. And privately I vowed; ‘never again’. My weak hip made the entire experience too challenging and I didn’t enjoy it a bit beyond the big grin from my mom across the stable.
I do recall, though, reading with fascination about unbroken colts. I remember learning that horses were too young to be ridden in the first two years, and then training was a time-intensive process. It struck me – even as a kid – as an extreme test of patience, waiting for a horse to grow and then going to all the effort of ‘breaking’ them in for actual riding. I can only imagine how much more troublesome a donkey might be. Donkeys are known for their obstinate nature.
In today’s text, Jesus demonstrates power over the natural world; first in calling the unridden donkey to Himself and second as He perched upon it without switch or saddle. Jesus rode an untrained animal down a steep and narrow street, teaming with people flapping about palm branches and personal effects. And yet the donkey did not revolt. He didn’t stop or stammer or stampede. He simply obliged. He stayed calm and cooperative under the weight of his holy load.
We are the unbroken donkey, my friend. Jesus calls us out of our rebellion and into relationship. We are compelled to come close. With one touch, He transforms us from wild and unruly to yielding and useful. We become the apparatus wielding His presence and furthering HIs purpose.
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10 NIV)
“And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8 NIV)
Lord, we are like the donkey, glad to be subdued and of service. May we always respond to Your voice and give way to Your need. Use us in Your Kingdom however You see fit. Amen.