What's Your Donkey?

MATT 21:1-3

Christmas is the season of giving. Like it or not, presents are a major part of the holidays. Whether it's inexpensive and handmade or impressive and expensive, the meaning is the same: I CARE.

The gift usually reflects the giver. With that in mind, what's the most unique gift you ever received? What is the strangest gift you ever gave?

Let's look in the Scriptures at a very unusual gift and the man who gave it. We don't know his name or what he looked like. We only know one thing - what he gave.

He gave a donkey to Jesus. A donkey? Yep, a donkey!

These Scriptures are not usually associated with the Christmas Story, but if you'll keep an open mind, God just might give you a fresh take.

In Matthew 21:1-3, Jesus and his disciples were approaching Jerusalem. Jesus sent two of them ahead with special instructions.

"Go into the village over there," he said. "As soon as you enter it, you will see a donkey tied there, with its colt beside it. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone asks what you are doing, just say,

The Lord needs them, ...."

Why a donkey? Why not a white horse, a magnificent steed, or at least a camel? All prophecy concerning Christ needed to be fulfilled. Zechariah 9:9, written 500 years before Jesus was even born, dictated that the Messiah would ride into Jerusalem on a donkey. So a donkey it had to be!

Donkeys are amazing critters. They have loads of personality. They are strong and capable. They are loving and loyal and extremely protective. And because they are so useful, they can get expensive. In Jesus' day, a donkey could cost up to a half year's wages for the average Joe. That's a lot to pay for a present!

We have to wonder how this unnamed giver could relinquish both donkeys at the drop of a hat. He obviously needed them; was it a big sacrifice? How did he feel? Was it hard for him to release his donkeys for the Lord's work?

I'll be honest with you. Sometimes it's hard for me. Sometimes I like to keep my donkeys to myself. How about you? What's your donkey? What is the Lord asking you to release to him? Is it your time? talents? abilities and skills? money? spiritual gifts? Think about it.

Whatever your donkey is, if you give it to Jesus, it will cost you. But one thing is certain - it will be used to carry Jesus and His Kingdom a little further down the road. And it will carry you to new places as well. It could be that God wants to mount your donkey and enter the gates of familiar places, like Children's Church, Nursery, cleaning the church, or feeding the poor. God might want you to mount your donkey and enter the gates of a new place, like Prison Ministry, Sidewalk Sunday school, Brown Bag or Coat Drive. He might ask you to get involved with drama or offering your time and service repairing the church building.

All of us have a donkey. You and I each have something in our lives which, if given back to God could move Jesus and his story further down the road.  Maybe you can cook or sew or write a check. Maybe you can sing or hug or work with a computer. That's your donkey. WILL YOU GIVE IT? Just like that, at the drop of a hat? Or will you hesitate, analyze it and do a cost analysis?

I wonder how this unnamed donkey owner felt when he saw Jesus coming through the gates on his donkey. Did he feel honored that his gift was used to carry Jesus and his message?  I'm sure he had no idea that his gift would be written about in all four Gospels. But God did. And I'm sure you have no idea what God will do with your donkey either. But one thing is certain; He wants it.

God is speaking, "I have need of your donkey. Untie it and bring it to me."  The next move is yours.