Eastwood Baptist Church in Tulsa
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Our Church
    • Our Staff
    • Our Ministries
    • What We Believe
    • Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions
  • Connect
    • Plan Your Visit
    • RightNow Media
    • MOPS
    • Online Connect Card
    • Podcast
    • App
    • 948
    • Small Groups
    • Connection Point
    • Help & Hope
    • Gospel
    • Join The Discussion
      • Sermons
      • Articles
      • Studies and Devotions
      • News
    • Contact Us
  • Watch Now
  • Events and Volunteer Opportunities
  • Give
Eastwood Baptist Church in Tulsa
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Our Church
    • Our Staff
    • Our Ministries
    • What We Believe
    • Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions
  • Connect
    • Plan Your Visit
    • RightNow Media
    • MOPS
    • Online Connect Card
    • Podcast
    • App
    • 948
    • Small Groups
    • Connection Point
    • Help & Hope
    • Gospel
    • Join The Discussion
      • Sermons
      • Articles
      • Studies and Devotions
      • News
    • Contact Us
  • Watch Now
  • Events and Volunteer Opportunities
  • Give
Articles Good Donkey – The Triumphal Entry
Back Home

Good Donkey – The Triumphal Entry

byJeremy Rhodes inArticles posted9 April, 2019
0
2
Good Donkey – The Triumphal Entry

Pin the Tail on the Donkey

Growing up did you ever play “pin the tail on the donkey?” I did, especially at kids’ birthday parties. If you’re not familiar with the game, you have a board with the picture of a donkey’s behind. A tail has been created out of paper or some type of material with a pin or adhesive at one end so it will stick to the board. Then you blindfold the person who is going to pin the tail. After they are blindfolded and you’ve made sure they cannot see, you spin them around several times until they now have no idea where anything is. Still blindfolded, the person then searched for the donkey to pin its tail on. The fun is watching this completely blinded individual try to find the donkey and pin the tail on it. It is much like trying to hit a piñata. As a bystander, you’ve got to watch out. You never know where the tail will get pinned, or the stick will strike trying to find the piñata. For all you cool Gen Z folks, I highly recommend it!

I don’t think I was ever successful at pinning the tail on the donkey, but I’ll give it a try the next opportunity. In the dark, trying to find your way is really difficult. Without our sight, we are aimless. I am so impressed and deeply humbled by those who are blind and how they have learned to navigate through a seeing world. It is just amazing.

A Donkey’s Story

Shrek-Movie-Donkey
Photo credit: Movieweb.com

Several years ago, a Christian rockabilly band that I know wrote a song called “Good, Good Donkey.” Every time I heard the song I couldn’t help by think of Donkey from the movie Shrek. Donkey was Shrek’s best friend and did everything he could to help Shrek. But the song focused on the donkey Jesus rode entering Jerusalem just a week before His arrest and crucifixion. The donkey experiences Jesus and sees all the people shouting and dancing and singing. The people of Jerusalem came out waving palm branches and laid coats down on the road for the donkey to walk on as he carried Jesus. “Wow, these people have laid down their coats just for me to walk on,” thought the donkey. “This whole parade is just for me.”

The donkey’s story is a real miracle. Its owner had yet to ever put this young donkey to work. In fact, before Jesus got on this donkey, no one had ever ridden him. Earlier that day, Jesus had given His disciples some instructions:

“Now when they drew near Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, He sent two of His disciples; and He said to them, “Go into the village opposite you; and as soon as you have entered it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has sat. Loose it and bring it. And if anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord has need of it,’ and immediately he will send it here.” So they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door outside on the street, and they loosed it. But some of those who stood there said to them, “What are you doing, loosing the colt?” And they spoke to them just as Jesus had commanded. So they let them go.” – Mark 11:1-6

This donkey had been singled out by Jesus to be used for a specific task. Yet this young donkey has no idea what his purpose was. He was young. No one had ever given him a task before. He was created to work hard and be able to carry weight on his back. He could transport many things, even people. But so far, he had not really done that. I really doubt that this donkey felt special in any way. In fact, I would believe that he thought he was no different than any other of his donkey friends. It was just average…a normal donkey. Nothing special.

When God was planning how He would bring His Son into Jerusalem and have one of the great worship services during the ministry of Jesus, He thought of this donkey. He thought of him many years before. Zechariah had foretold this:

“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, Lowly and riding on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey.” – Zechariah 9:9

This young donkey was actually in the plan of God. He has a purpose and a mission. There was a reason why he had not been ridden yet. No one had forgotten him. God’s plan was happening at just the right time. And this donkey was at the right place and at the right time. The Lord had need of him.

Carrying Jesus and seeing the people worshipping and praising Him, this donkey heard the people cry out:

“Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their clothes on it, and He sat on it. And many spread their clothes on the road, and others cut down leafy branches from the trees and spread them on the road. Then those who went before and those who followed cried out, saying:

“Hosanna!

‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’

Blessed is the kingdom of our father David

That comes in the name of the Lord!

Hosanna in the highest!”

Your Story is the Lord’s

At this point, it could be really easy for our donkey to receive that praise for himself. Look, he was doing what he was created to do. The people were shouting and singing his praise, waving palm branches and laying their coats down for him to walk on. He was doing such a great job for his first time carrying someone on his back. “WOW!! Is this what it was going to be like every time I carry someone?” asked the donkey.

No. You’re just a good, good donkey. You’re the donkey Jesus rode in on.

Palm Sunday we celebrate the triumphal entry of our Savior into Jerusalem. He was the one that was going to take away the sins of the people. He was the one who was going to deliver them and establish His Kingdom. He was going to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. We can see the praise of the people and the acts of worship they did for our Lord.  But this insignificant little donkey represents you and me.

In our work for God, we can become blinded by the accolades and praise from others. Pride is always there to puff us up, and we begin to think of ourselves better than we really are. This Palm Sunday celebrate the greatness of our King Jesus. He is the one worthy of our praise, our lives and our service. And when you are tempted by pride to get a little arrogant or puffed up, just remember you’re a good donkey. You are just the donkey Jesus rode in on.

donkeyeastermiraclePalm Sundaypurposetriumphal entry
Share this :
Jeremy Rhodes

Jeremy is a passionate Christ-follower, coffee lover, runner, sports player, singer and musician, and the leader of “the Blondes” (my wife and kids are all blonde headed). Jeremy is driven by his Love for People, love for God, the tremendous people in the church and all the great people in our community.

Previous

Let All You Do Be Done In Love

Next

Group Life

Related Posts

5
Treats, Not Tricks: Keep your child’s holiday safe this Halloween
3 October, 2019
Treats, Not Tricks: Keep your child’s holiday safe this Halloween

Pin the Tail on the Donkey Growing up did you ever play “pin the tail on the donkey?” I did,...

No comment
4
February Share the Love Campaign
1 February, 2019
February Share the Love Campaign

Pin the Tail on the Donkey Growing up did you ever play “pin the tail on the donkey?” I did,...

No comment
2
How to Get Involved During the Oklahoma Teacher Walk Out
9 April, 2018
How to Get Involved During the Oklahoma Teacher Walk Out

Pin the Tail on the Donkey Growing up did you ever play “pin the tail on the donkey?” I did,...

No comment
1
30 Days of Thanks
1 November, 2018
30 Days of Thanks

Pin the Tail on the Donkey Growing up did you ever play “pin the tail on the donkey?” I did,...

No comment
1
The Grace of Repentance
6 June, 2016
The Grace of Repentance

Pin the Tail on the Donkey Growing up did you ever play “pin the tail on the donkey?” I did,...

No comment
4
Top Tips to Memorize & Meditate on Scripture
23 January, 2019
Top Tips to Memorize & Meditate on Scripture

Pin the Tail on the Donkey Growing up did you ever play “pin the tail on the donkey?” I did,...

No comment
2
Prayer and Worship: Practical Ways that You Can Be Involved with God’s Plan for the World
19 August, 2019
Prayer and Worship: Practical Ways that You Can Be Involved with God’s Plan for the World

Pin the Tail on the Donkey Growing up did you ever play “pin the tail on the donkey?” I did,...

No comment
3
Small Groups: Our Pathway to Adoption
19 February, 2018
Small Groups: Our Pathway to Adoption

Pin the Tail on the Donkey Growing up did you ever play “pin the tail on the donkey?” I did,...

1 Comment
11
How to Bless a Mother this Mother’s Day
2 May, 2018
How to Bless a Mother this Mother’s Day

Pin the Tail on the Donkey Growing up did you ever play “pin the tail on the donkey?” I did,...

No comment
7
Secret Church – Prayer, Fasting and the Pursuit of God
15 April, 2019
Secret Church – Prayer, Fasting and the Pursuit of God

Pin the Tail on the Donkey Growing up did you ever play “pin the tail on the donkey?” I did,...

No comment

Recent Posts

  • 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting
  • Blow that Trumpet
  • Helping Lindbergh Students
  • Preparing for More Screen Time
  • Be Strong and Courageous

Recent Comments

  • Mildred Gene Black on Eastwood Baptist Church Live Stream
  • Shirley Pittenger on Eastwood Baptist Church Live Stream
  • Shirley Pittenger on Eastwood Baptist Church Live Stream
  • Shirley Pittenger on Eastwood Baptist Church Live Stream
  • Shirley Pittenger on Eastwood Baptist Church Live Stream

Archives

  • January 2021
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • May 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • November 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • August 2015

Categories

  • Articles
  • News
  • Podcast
  • Sermons
  • Studies & Devotions
  • Uncategorized

Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org

Recent Posts

  • 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting January 2, 2021
  • Blow that Trumpet September 1, 2020
  • Helping Lindbergh Students August 20, 2020
  • Preparing for More Screen Time August 14, 2020
  • Be Strong and Courageous July 17, 2020

About Us

Eastwood Baptist Church loves reaching out to people in the local community, inspiring the body of Christ and caring for our church family. We love serving the local community and we want you to be a part of our family.

Join The Discussion

  • 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting
  • Blow that Trumpet
  • Helping Lindbergh Students
  • Preparing for More Screen Time

Connect

Sunday Worship @ 9:15 am
Sunday School Classes @ 10:45 am
Wednesday Students @ 6:30 pm

Contact Us

Eastwood Baptist Church
948 S 91st East Ave
Tulsa, OK 74112-4824
Phone:918-836-8686
Fax:918-836-4798
Email: [email protected]

Copyright © Eastwood Baptist Church. All Rights Reserved.