The Rev. Ronald G. Abrams Palm Sunday 2016
The Palm Sunday Donkey
Many people in our nation have become dismayed by our political climate, and rightly so, but believe it or not, the behavior of politicians and office seekers in the 1800’s was much worse than it is today. When Abraham Lincoln was President, politicians, office holders and those desiring jobs would sneak into The President’s bedroom, interrupt his family dinners, and barge into his office wanting a job or a favor. Lincoln despised this process. One day when things got out of control, Lincolngathered a number of office holders and job seekers together and told them this story:
"There was once a King who wished to go out hunting, so he asked his minister if it was going to rain. The minister assured him that it would not. On the way to the woods, the King passed a farmer who was working the land with his donkey. The farmer warned the King that it would rain soon, but the King just laughed and continued. A few minutes later it was pouring, and the King and his companions were soaked to their skin. Upon return to the castle, the King dismissed his minister and sent for the farmer. He asked the man how he knew it was going to rain.
"'It was not me, your Majesty. It was my donkey. He always droops one ear when it is going to rain.'"
So the King bought the donkey from the farmer and gave him the position of minister at court.” Lincoln concluded the story by saying “This was where the King made his mistake."
"How was that," asked several people present.
"Because, ever since then," Lincoln continued, "a great many undeserving donkeys want jobs. Gentlemen, leave your credentials at the door.”
Not every donkey is desperate for a job. This week we arranged for Truffles the donkey to lead our children’s Palm Sunday procession around the church. Sadly, Truffles couldn’t make it. It seems that Truffles had an anxiety attack when told of her new job. Seriously!
Some donkeys are political animals and other donkeys are reluctant participants. Today in our Palm Sunday reading we hear another story about a donkey.
Jesus chose to fulfill his plan of salvation by riding upon a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. Nothing Jesus did was by accident. Everything our Lord did has a spiritual purpose. So what is the meaning of the donkey? For one thing I think it makes the Messianic prophecy of Daniel and Zachariah unmistakable.It wasn’t every day, I’m sure, that people rode victoriously through the cheering crowds lining the streets of Jerusalem on a donkey. On Palm Sunday Jesus was fulfilling God’s plan with humility by riding on a donkey. Even though the people failed to recognize it, the donkey symbolized that Jesus was a spiritual messiah not a political leader. Beside the fulfillment of the messianicprophecy, the donkey I believe says something important about you and me. If God can use a stinky little donkey in the triumphant fulfillment of his plan then just maybe he’s got a plan for you and me.
Donkeys really aren’t all that great. They’re stubborn, they’re smelly, they’re small, not really able to do that much. But Jesus used a donkey in his most triumphant public moment here on earth. He could have chosen a white stallion outfitted for battle as portrayed in the book of revelation. He could have chosen a camel decked out in lavish velvets of crimson and purple. But he chose anordinary, everyday donkey.
On Palm Sunday Jesus faithfully began his final journey to his cross to redeem humanities brokenness. Palm Sunday isalso an acute reminder to us that God calls all of his creation, from a simple donkey to you and me to be participants in God’s saving grace for humanity not by aggressively seeking something we do not deserve nor by being so reluctant that we become immobile. Rather, we do so by being humble, faithful and playing our part in being agents of God’s kingdom where we are and with those we encounter.
As we begin the holiest week of our Christian faith, let us engage in worship, prayer and action with humanity and devotion each and every day. And please remember, as Jesus chose the Palm Sunday donkey, he chooses you and me as well. How we respond will result in either living into the abyss of Good Friday or the Triumph of Easter morning. The journey is before us.