Donkeys

“Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.” (Mat 21:2-3)


Saturday I had the joy of hearing one of our lay speakers, Bob Dralle, speak. He spoke on the triumphant entry as noted above. He mentioned three kinds of people who responded to Jesus that day.  The man who gave up his donkey was the first. The crowds who shouted "Hosanna" as they laid their cloaks and palm fronds on the ground for Jesus to ride over were the second group.  The third group were the people of Jerusalem who were stirred with curiosity about the identity of this man being hailed with a parade fit for a king or conquering hero.


Bob mentioned that the man who gave up the donkey was giving up something major. It would be like a working family who gave up their car which they use to get to work.  To give a donkey was to hamper one's ability to work and gain needed provision for the family. What would cause him to give his donkey away to two strangers?


Bob said he figured this man was the kind of guy who had spent a lot of time listening to God.  He's the kind of person who each day as he begins asks, "What would You have me do today, Lord?"  This kind of approach to life takes lots of practice. It takes daily attentiveness to one's relationship with God through prayer, study and meditation follwed with the appropriate actions that come from the Lord's direction.


The man met two strangers (Jesus' disciples) taking his  donkey.  He asked what they were doing.  They replied as Jesus instructed, "The Lord needs them."  The man listened to the Lord, in whom he daily gave his trust and obedience.  And inside he heard God say, "It's OK. These guys work for me. Let them take the donkey." Gladly, he let them go trusting in the Lord and His work.


Bob Dralle asked us if we wanted to be like the man with the donkey. Are we ready to give it away when the Lord needs it?  Self denial is a pathway to building a heart for God that can do just that.  


Learning to live without, opens us to living more deeply and richly in our life with the Lifegiver. Self-denial gives this opportunity if we take advantage of it. We can practice self-denial and bemoan what we have denied ourselves and miss the prize.  We can also practice self-denial and use that as a means for self-congratulations!  "Hey, look what I am doing!"  Jesus warned us about practicing our piety before others as a means of getting their attention and  accolades.  (Mat 6:16)  Basically Jesus is saying if the applause of others is what you want, that is what you will get... and not much else.  


Sounds kind of hollow when we think about it. We all know how quickly fame fades.  Hollywood icons have to constantly keep their faces on the covers of scandal rags to keep people talking about them.  Who is sleeping with who? What fight happened with this famous couple? Who's hooking up and who's getting divorced?  I am fairly certain that publicists run the lives we see of the stars.  They have created an art and an industry in keeping fame alive as long as possible. Without it the crowd soon forgets as they cheer for the next fad.


Jesus saw his fame fade within the week.  Soon the curious crowd and the cheers of Hosanna faded and changed to mockery, insults and cries for his crucifixion.


As I continue this week, I want so much to be the guy who gave away his donkey. I say this with tears in my eyes.  I really do long to be one who has practiced listening enough to hear the Lord direct my day.  


Lord, help me to remember You, to seek You  and to hear and obey You. I need Your grace this last week of the fast.  Thank You for being faithful to aid me with Your strength all week long.  Amen.