Sher Birmingham

The legend of the donkey is that the lowly donkey carried Mary to Bethlehem when she was with child and fleeing Herod’s troops. The donkey was again present at Christ’s birth in that humble stable. Years later, he was chosen to carry Jesus into Jerusalem on that Palm Sunday. Alas, the little donkey was unable to assist his lord and master when it came time to carry the heavy cross. As the sad, little donkey took his last look at Jesus on Calvary, God smiled on him for his faithful service. As he slowly walked away, the shadow of the Cross fell across his back and shoulders and remains there to this day as a symbol of his love and humble devotion.

The truth is the Bible does not tell us how Joseph took Mary and Jesus to Egypt nor does it tell us what if any animals where in the Stable where Jesus was born. The Bible does tell us that Jesus rode a colt that had never been ridden when He entered Jerusalem on that Palm Sunday. So it couldn’t be the same donkey. The Bible doesn’t speak of any animals near Jesus as He made His way from Pilot’s decree to Calvary.

The Bible says in Job 12:7-11 “But ask the animals what they think—let them teach you; let the birds tell you what’s going on. Put your ear to the earth—learn the basics. Listen—the fish in the ocean will tell you their stories. Isn’t it clear that they all know and agree that God is sovereign, that He holds all things in His hand — Every living soul, yes, every breathing creature? Isn’t this all just common sense, as common as the sense of taste? Do you think the elderly have a corner on wisdom, that you have to grow old before you understand life?” (Message) Like in the legend of the dogwood tree the marking on our donkey should remind us of Jesus and the salvation story. Again Jesus wrote it in nature this time an animal, but as is written in Job all animals know He is God.

The Bible also says in Romans 1:19-20 “Since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.” (NIV) God makes it easy for us to see Jesus’ work on the cross, by declaring Himself in the plants, animals and all of nature. The truth of the donkey and the marking of the cross on his back is so that no person can deny that saw Jesus and His work of salvation because it is written on the back of the donkey.

Sher Birmingham, wife to Bill. We have 7 children (ages 29 to 6 years old) plus 3 grandchildren (ages 5 to 1 years old). Encouraging moms that they can successfully run a business, school, and keep house at Home! If you enjoyed this article, please join my e-group http://groups.yahoo.com/group/fruitfully. Or / and you may want to purchase my e-book “Passover & Jesus” (see the page entitled “Passover & Jesus Ebook”).