peterd

More Donkey Stuff

Zechariah 9:9 Rejoice, rejoice, people of Zion! Shout for joy, you people of Jerusalem! Look, your king is coming to you! He comes triumphant and victorious, but humble and riding on a donkey--- on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

This was a prophetic word of what God in Christ would someday do. Here it was looking forward to the event; today we look back at the event. For a full account of this incident, read Matthew 21. (Other Gospels have the same account) This was a literal fulfillment of a literal prophecy concerning the Lord Jesus Christ. The picture is the King of Glory triumphantly entering Jerusalem, riding on a donkey; greeted with applause by the crowds. 

A number of pertinent points arise from this prophecy:

-          The one who was to come is the King of Israel – right then and right now!

-          His arrival would be triumphal and victorious. A strange statement indeed since His arrival was the precursor to His crucifixion and death on Calvary.

-          He came in a humble fashion – riding on a young donkey and not on a battle wise stallion.

-          The praise that issued from the crowd was towards the King and not to the donkey.

Here I see a major principle; the King of Glory was the centre of attraction. All else faded into obscurity when Jesus came on the scene. God’s greatest triumph and victory was achieved in the death of His Son on Calvary. The centre of attraction must and always will be the “Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” – the Lord Jesus Christ.

It is a sad and deplorable fact that today many who claim to be servants of the Lord are more intent on receiving from those they minister to than exalting the One they supposedly serve. The centre of attraction is the preacher, the building, the group, the denomination; some or other theological bias – but the Lord Jesus has taken the back seat. If you will, the donkey has become more important than the King of Glory who is supposed to be riding on that donkey.

There is a sad picture displayed for us in Revelation:

Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hears my voice, and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will fellowship with him, and he with me.

Here we see Jesus knocking at the door of His Church! Somehow the people He died and gave His life for have “excommunicated” Him. This is so sad; that many churches can continue their “programs” without the Lord Jesus being the centre and circumference of their endeavors. How does this happen? What are the conditions and attitudes that bring about such a deplorable state as this? Where was the “fork in the road” that presented the wrong way? Why was the wrong way taken – was there no guidance? How did the “donkey” replace the Lord?

I would dare to suggest just a few possibilities. Please note that the basis of “drifting” is always beginning to “walk in the flesh” rather than “walking in the spirit”.

-          intellectual professionalism

-          lack of prayer and waiting on the Lord for direction

-          lack of praise and true worship; but rather following a “form” and not reality

-          the emphasis on humanism and program (here’s the “donkey”) The thing that is supposed to “carry” Him to the world has become the centre of attraction

-          Fellowship with believers. While this is of course an important function of the gathering of believers, we must never exclude the Lord Jesus. Our “love feasts”, pot-luck suppers et al must never replace the primary function – which is to exalt Jesus. May He always be the “unseen guest” at every meal and the “silent listener” to every conversation. Never let our gathering become a “club” for self gratification and carnality.

Dear ones; don’t blame the “group” or the church for your condition. Revival starts with individuals and spreads to the group. Put your hand into your own bosom and acknowledge that the conditions you see are partly due to your contribution as well as that of others. When we will each one humbly acknowledge we have “lost our first love” and replaced Jesus with the “donkey” - we can begin a turnaround and Jesus once again will be seated firmly on and in control of the “donkey”. We will see the masses drawn to Him as we lift Him high. We will enjoy His presence. Praise and worship will once again become an enjoyable practice – not something to get quickly through to get on with our “program”. Jesus and only Jesus will be the centre of attraction.

Open our eyes Lord! We want to see Jesus!