When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples, saying, “Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a young donkey tied, on which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ you shall say this: ‘The Lord has need of it.’”
(Luke 19:29-31)
You know we use that word ass in alot of ways in our language. Most often we refer to someone who is stubborn, obtuse or obstinate using that same word. Have you ever been called that word by someone either jokingly or seriously and if so how did you take it. Bet you didn't take it as compliment. Maybe you were called a donkey which is the "less offensive word," but nonetheless has the same connotation but again probably not seen as a compliment. Recently I did some research about donkeys for a sermon and I came across some interesting fact. Here are a few.
1. Donkeys are mighty creatures! If you compared a donkey to a horse of the same size, the donkey would be stronger.
2. Donkeys can hold firm.- Donkeys are not easily startled, unlike horses which most definitely are.
3. A donkey never forgets. Because of their amazing memory, donkeys can recognize areas and other donkeys they were with from up to 25 years ago.
4. Donkeys are brighter than they look. Donkeys are considered to be very intelligent animals.-Compared to horses, donkeys are more independent in their thinking and can make decisions based on their safety. They have a keen sense of curiosity.
5. They’re stubborn but for safety reasons.-It is difficult to force or frighten a donkey into doing something that it sees as not being in its best interests, they can be quite stubborn but as a form of protection for themselves.
6. Donkey ears are built-in fans.
7. They have radar hearing! -From 60 miles away donkeys can hear another donkey, due to the sounds they make being picked up by their large ears.
8. The donkey’s diet isn’t exactly tasty. Food is scarce in a desert, but donkeys can utilize 95% of what they eat. This means their manure is not a very good fertilizer for the land.
9. Donkeys thrive on company. Donkeys can become extremely distressed when a close friend has been moved away from them. Donkeys are classified as herd animals. Donkeys don’t like being kept on their own. A single donkey will live quite happily with goats.
10. A donkey demands trust.
11. Strength is important to donkeys. A herd will choose the strongest donkey as their leader, even if it has been domesticated.
12. The leading donkey will sacrifice itself. If we were talking about the wild, a lead donkey will stay to ward off an attack by a wolf or other predators so that the rest of the herd can escape to safety.
13. Donkeys care for one another. Donkeys help each other with their grooming, a bit like how monkeys and chimps do.
14. They can be very soothing animals.Quite often donkeys are fielded with horses, as they have a perceived calming effect on nervous horses. Sometimes a foal will turn to a donkey for support if it has left their mother.
15. They will also protect you and have been trained as guards.
So I guess in short, when you serve the King (Christ) you are in good company with other donkeys and really aren't such a bad person after all. When He calls you to service, He will equip you with the traits to serve the kingdom. If we could just achieve a few of these traits imagine the impact we could have on others around us. Jesus' decision to use the donkey/ass is petty consistent. He tends to use those people who don't always seem to be the best in appearance but He uses the best equipped for the work. Don't be discouraged let us live up to the potential that God has given us. Let's achieve our "donkeyness."
Much love
Preach
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