Donkey

John 12:14-21,32,41 – Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written: “Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.” At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that these things had been done to him. Now the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word. Many people, because they had heard that he had performed this sign, went out to meet him. So the Pharisees said to one another, “See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!” Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.”…And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”…Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus’ glory and spoke about him.

Zechariah 9:9 – Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Application:

• ·         “Riding on a donkey” was a suitable choice, since the donkey was a lowly animal of peace, as well as a princely mount before the horse came into common use.
• ·         Isaiah spoke primarily of the glory of God. John spoke of the glory of Jesus and made no basic distinction between the two, attesting Jesus’ oneness with God. The thought of glory here is complex. There is the idea of majesty, and there is also the idea that Jesus’ death on the cross and His subsequent resurrection and exaltation show His real glory. This is the cross and this is glory, for the cross, resurrection and exaltation portray both suffering and healing, rejection and triumph, humiliation and glory.
• ·         Jesus came to die for the world, and the coming of these Gentiles indicates the scope of the effectiveness of His approaching crucifixion.
• ·         Christ will draw people to Himself, without regard for nationality, ethnic affiliation or status.

All Scripture verses taken from NIV