Tag: joy

  • Donkeys – Beasts of Burden – and a sign of Jesus

    donkey

    I’ve always had a soft spot for donkeys. It likely stems from a  giant stuffed donkey I had as a small child. Donkey-Burro was nearly as tall as I was and a constant companion.

    Donkeys and I have an affinity. I have never met one that didn’t like me. If there is more than one person around, the burros seem drawn to me.

    I remember one occasion in South Africa. The place we stayed had a donkey that I visited. Each time Kathy drew near, the donkey got between Kathy and me, moving her away so it could have my exclusive attention.

    Donkeys (or asses, in some older translations) appear in several places in the Scriptures. They are shown as beasts of burden, the mouthpieces of God (Balaam’s donkey), symbols of wealth (see Job), and symbols of peace. It’s the latter I want to touch on this morning.

    A donkey is used prophetically to symbolize the coming of the King of Peace.

    Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. Zechariah 9:9 ESV

    We know from the gospels that this prophecy was fulfilled.

    Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.” This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying, “Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’” The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. Matthew 21:1-7 ESV

    The Jews were expecting a conquering, military messiah. That sort of king would ride in on a stallion, symbolizing wealth and military might.

    Instead, Jesus rode in on the donkey, a humble beast. He shattered their expectations and showed that He would be a different sort of king. He was a King of Peace, changing things by winning hearts and souls, not crushing them under His feet.

    There will be a return at the final judgment when all things are weighed and all of His enemies banished, a time when justice reigns perfectly and supremely, and a time where love conquers all.

    The humble beast brought the victor into Jerusalem that day. His ways are not our ways, and for that we can rejoice.

    The next time you see a donkey, remember the humble King of Kings and praise His name.

    Kevin

    Check these out

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    Why everyone knows – even if they deny it

    The burden of sin

  • Unexpected – Thoughts on worry

    Mother Sandhill with chick
    Mother Sandhill Crane with juvenile

    Some personal reflection this morning. Today’s image has  nothing to do with the content. I simply like this image of a sandhill crane.

    Just over five years ago, I had surgery to remove a cancerous mass from my left kidney. It was discovered quite by accident (read God’s providence) when I rolled my truck, and the hospital ER was checking out the extent of my injuries.

    Each year, near the anniversary of the surgery, I undergo a series of routine blood tests and have a CT scan to confirm all is clear.

    Last year was my five-year check-up.

    I was feeling great as I awaited my by-phone doctor’s appointment. I would be officially five years cancer-free, and the risk of recurrence was considered extremely low after that point.

    The doctor informed me that all the results from the blood tests were normal. My kidney function was so high that there was no evidence of it ever having had an issue.

    I was feeling great, five years cancer-free. Then, you guessed it, there was a “but”. I have a lesion on the left kidney and spots on the right, which will need further testing.

    I was crushed and depressed for the balance of the day. I had known that such a result was possible and that if something showed up, it would be in the very early stages, so easily treated. I also knew that God is entirely in control, no matter what happened, so that I could face whatever news without fear.

    I promptly forgot all that for the next twenty hours and felt sorry for myself. Then I remembered what I knew about God and His plans and moved forward.

    The next step is an MRI, which, depending on the backlog in our medical system, could take many months to get an appointment. From there, only the Lord knows the next step at this point.

    Is it cancer? Maybe. Am I worried? Not really, for the same reasons I forgot.

    My faith in the goodness of God and HIs love for His children is stronger than my fears. More than 350 times in the Bible, we are told to “Fear not”.

    I know he has my back.


    Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Matthew 6:26-34 ESV

    With Jesus, we can face anything, even if the outcome isn’t to our liking.

    Trust Jesus no matter what and praise His name.

    Be blessed

    Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

    Kevin

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