REFLECTIONS

Message from a Donkey

On the wall behind my grandfather’s desk a collage of framed photographs hung. The professionally shot photos were of people, places, and events dear to his heart. But the picture of Jack hanging among them would have been a curious sight for most people. Why would Jack be important to my grandfather? Jack, you see, was a donkey.

Now, the story of Jack tells that he was a rare breed of donkey, and that my grandfather used him to sire mules. Back then, he used mules to pull delivery wagons for his business, which may explain why Jack’s picture was included on my grandfather’s photo collage. These days, donkeys aren’t highly revered; but drifting back into biblical days, donkeys played a more prominent role.

Abraham saddled his donkey and took Isaac to Mount Moriah. Moses put his wife and children on a donkey for his journey to Egypt to free the Israelites from slavery. And when Balaam abused his donkey for stubbornly resisting the path he wanted to travel, God caused the donkey to speak back to him. The encounter helped open Balaam’s eyes to see the angel of the Lord blocking the path. (Numbers 22 – 24)

Then there is the well-known journey to Bethlehem. God chose Mary to carry the Christ-child; and He appointed a donkey to give Mary a ride to his designated birthplace. And let’s not overlook the scene leading to Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. “Go into that village over there,” [Jesus] told them. “As soon as you enter it, you will see a young donkey tied there that no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here.'”  (Mark 11:2 NLT)

Now I’m a little unsure why Jack became important enough to my grandfather to earn a place on his wall. But, there seems to be a place for donkeys in God’s plan. Donkeys carried the story of prominent people like Abraham, Isaac, and Moses’ wife and children. A donkey helped open a man’s eyes to see the Angel of the Lord. And a donkey carried the Lord into Jerusalem for all the world to know him. So, if messages from a donkey are carried to the world…

don’t you think God has a special place for you in his plan?

You are the light of the world,

Richard +

www.reflectingthesavior.org.

P.S.

Oh! One more thing. Driving down a country road recently, I came across a flock of sheep grazing in a field. A “good shepherd” stood among them placed there by the owner to protect them from predators. It reminded me of John 10:11: The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

And the “good shepherd” in the field that day? You guessed it. A donkey.

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