If we call someone a donkey, we
probably don't mean it as a compliment. But the Bible encourages us to be
donkeys in a most surprising sense.
Be a Donkey
1 A Donkey Redeemed
Exodus 13:13
Under the law of Moses, the
firstborn of cattle and sheep were offered to God, but a donkey was redeemed
with the sacrifice of a lamb (Exo 34:19-20). If a donkey was not redeemed by a
lamb, the donkey was not allowed to live. This is a type or symbol of
redemption through Jesus, who is the Lamb of God (Jhn 1:35-37).
So be a donkey. Be redeemed to
eternal life by Jesus the Lamb (Eph 1:7, Rev 21:27).
2 A Donkey with Wisdom
Numbers 22:21-34
The story of Balaam stars a donkey
who understood what Balaam failed to understand, and saw what Balaam failed to
see. Balaam stupidly whacked his riding donkey because she wouldn't go straight
ahead. But the donkey saved Balaam’s life knowing that a warrior angel stood
ahead ready to kill Balaam. The donkey even spoke to Balaam to reason with him.
Peter said the donkey was dumb (2Pe
2:16) but he meant that donkeys don't usually speak. Peter didn't mean that
donkeys lack wisdom. The donkey was smarter than Balaam, when Balaam should
have been at least as smart as the donkey.
So be a donkey. Be wise with the
wisdom not of this world. Speak that wisdom to those who might listen. If they
don't listen and perish, that's not your fault. However, if you don't speak out
the wisdom of Christ, then that is your fault (1Co 2:6-10).
3 A Donkey Serving Jesus
Zechariah 9:9
Jesus sat on a pure-bred donkey for
his triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Mtt 21:1-11). Although serving as a lowly
beast of burden, the donkey served Jesus. Thus the donkey received honor. Paul
urges us to devote ourselves to the Lord "which
is your reasonable service" (Rom 12:1-2). Pauk spoke of himself as
a bondservant of Jesus Christ (Rom 1:1).
So be a donkey. Serve Jesus. It
doesn't matter if the service isn't high prestige. A lowly service is an honor
both to the servant and the Master.
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