Matthew 21:6-7 “The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on.”

There is a cute, animated movie called “The Star”, about a little donkey named Bo. Bo is abused, escapes and ends up at the home of Mary and Joseph. Bo finds out someone is after Mary and her baby but gets left behind when they leave for Bethlehem. With the help of his friends, Bo follows the couple, determined to protect Mary. Eventually, Bo catches up with Mary and Joseph. Mary rides into Bethlehem and Bo and his friends protect her and her newborn. This movie moves me because I believe animals can anticipate special events, show love, protect and love us.

Donkeys are mentioned 142 times in the Bible, usually as a form of wealth, included with sheep and goats; but there are other times when their role is a bit more auspicious. In the Old Testament, a donkey was used to carry firewood when Abraham takes Isaac to be sacrificed (Genesis 22:3). In Numbers 22:21-33, Balaam is riding when his donkey sees an angel and moves to the side of the road. Balaam beats his donkey 3 times because it won’t move after seeing the angel. God opens the donkey’s mouth, and it says, “Why did you beat me? I am your donkey and have been loyal to you” and then the angel appears to Balaam. In Judges, Samson uses the jawbone of a donkey to kill a thousand men. These humble animals have been used throughout the ages to help us, and they can be very loving animals.

When Jesus is set to enter Jerusalem, he tasks a couple of his disciples to go get a donkey and her colt. If they were asked what they were doing, they were told to say, “The Lord has need of them”. And so, we see the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem amid shouts of Hosanna and praise. Jesus is a humble man, on a humble animal, entering the city where he will face his final days on earth. His mother Mary was a humble woman, riding a humble donkey, as she entered another city to await the birth of her holy child. Both of these significant events are anticipated and will change the world. Is it a coincidence the humble donkey is a key character in each story, bringing Jesus into the world, and seeing him as he leaves it?

Marti Riley