Yesterday, my pastor was talking about the donkey Jesus rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. My mind wandered (not the pastor's fault) to a horse I met one day in Texas.
I was recording my youth broadcast with a live teenage audience on a Texas cattle ranch. I asked if they could arrange a horse for city boy Ron to ride, so I could record one segment on horseback. Two adjectives defined my equine request - "old and harmless." Dressed in a cowboy hat and chaps - all photos have been burned - I mounted the steed they'd found for me.
I should have asked his name sooner. See, this town had a monster tornado some years ago. Wanna guess my horse's name? Yup. Tornado. And there was no turning back.
OK, back to the Palm Sunday donkey. When two of Jesus' disciples went to fetch the animal for Jesus' entry to Jerusalem, they might well have named him Tornado. Because Jesus said the donkey He sent them for was one "no one has ever ridden" (Luke 19:30). We're talking a long-eared version of a buckin' bronco!
But that's the overlooked miracle of Palm Sunday. With Jesus on board, that wild donkey just isn't wild. Even when they're passing through those surging crowds of "loud voices" praising Jesus, that unbroken donkey doesn't bolt or freak out. Again, because Jesus is on board.
Which gives me another reason to join those voices who celebrated Jesus on the first day of the week that changed the world. He has power to tame what has never been tamed. Including the animal inside me. Inside you.
We don't have to accept as untameable that temper that scars people we love...that destructive habit that's held us back so long...that cloud of depression that brings us to the edge...that wounding mouth...those lustful passions that make us feel so defeated and ashamed. This Jesus, who one week after Palm Sunday blew death away, has power to conquer in us what's been unconquerable for us. The Bible radiates hope of winning with this promise: "Sin shall not be your master...you have been set free from sin" (Romans 6:14, 18).
The taming miracle of Jesus begins when you relinquish the reins to Him. Because "our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ...gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness" (Titus 2:13-14). When He'd bled out His life for us on that cross, He declared, "It is finished!" That blood-bought victory included breaking the power of the animal inside us.
Oh yeah. My pastor prompted another thought during the Palm Sunday sermon. The disciples were given the curious assignment of just finding this donkey, untying him and bringing him to Jesus - without asking the owner. I don't know about you, but I'd be thinking about how I'd look in prison stripes. But Jesus had told them, "If anyone asks you, 'Why are you untying it?' tell him, 'The Lord needs it'" (Luke 19:31). That's all the owner needed to hear. Little did he know that his nondescript beast of burden would be immortalized for carrying the King of kings to His date with destiny.
I think Jesus is still asking us to release something we have so He can use it. A talent or ability...some money or valuables we've been hanging onto...a ministry we've hijacked from Him...a position of influence we have...career or retirement plans...a child we won't release to the call He's given them. The finger of God may be reaching down from heaven this Easter season and pointing to something - or someone - we're holding tightly. And He's saying, "The Lord needs it."
If we'll let it go, He'll do with it what we could never imagine. And make what you've released into a miracle.
Like the Super Donkey of Palm Sunday.
| In this week when Jesus paid the price and won the victory for you and me, it may be your time to make Him more than the Savior of the world. It's time to make Him your Savior. If you want to know more about how you can take that step, I hope you'll check out our website at YoursForLife.net. It might just make the difference. |