REFLECTION

The donkey is a frequent presence in the Bible, turning up at pivotal moments. Genesis 22:3 records Abraham loading a donkey with the supplies needed to obey God’s command concerning Isaac. Years later, in Genesis 32:15, Jacob sent donkeys among the gifts to Esau as a gesture of reconciliation after long years of separation and conflict. In 1 Samuel 25:20, Abigail rode a donkey to intercept David, her humility and wisdom averting bloodshed and keeping him from a decision he would later regret. Luke 10:34 tells of the Good Samaritan, who lifted a wounded stranger onto his donkey and carried him to safety.

In each of these cases, the donkey represents humility, service, and God using the unassuming for important assignments.

We also see donkeys in moments of divine intervention. In Numbers 22:21–34, Balaam’s donkey speaks to warn him, showing that God can use any vessel to deliver truth. Samson uses the jawbone of a donkey as an unlikely weapon in Judges 15:15, to win victory, proving that God’s power is not tied to status or appearance.

Even in times of transition or stepping into a God-given role, the donkey appears. In 1 Samuel 9:3–20, Saul’s search for his father’s donkeys leads him to Samuel, where he is anointed king. In 1 Kings 1:33, 38, 44, Solomon rides King David’s mule to his coronation—a symbol of royal succession and peaceful authority. In ancient times, kings and rulers sometimes chose to ride donkeys rather than horses to signify peace instead of war.

Donkeys also appear in prophecy. Zechariah 9:9 foretells the Messiah coming “gentle and riding on a donkey,” fulfilled when Jesus entered Jerusalem (Matthew 21:2–7; Luke 19:30–35). Tradition also holds that in Luke 2:1–5, Mary rode a donkey to Bethlehem, leading to Christ’s birth in a manger. Just as He entered the world in humility, so He approached the cross, His death, burial, and resurrection.

While the people waved palm branches and shouted affirmations, Jesus came on a lowly donkey. Christ’s lowly method of entering Jerusalem stood in stark contrast to the praise He would receive during the triumphal entry. Yet, the same people shouting “Hosanna” would, within days, cry “Crucify him.” The disciples, though they had walked with Him for three years, still did not fully grasp His mission. They likely saw this moment as evidence of political power and personal elevation. If they had chosen His mode of entry, it might have been a chariot of the finest materials, with horns announcing His arrival. But Christ chose something that mirrored His heart and mission––a donkey. 

His chosen method of arrival spoke more truth than the shallow praise of the crowd. He knew the crowd’s loyalty was fleeting, that even among His closest friends there would be betrayal—a kiss of death, a curse on the tongue. The crowd didn’t understand Him. The disciples didn’t fully understand Him.

Perhaps the creature He related to most that day was the donkey—accustomed to carrying burdens not its own, overlooked, misunderstood, yet faithful and steadfast. He rode it to signify peace instead of war. Choosing the donkey was not an act of contrived humility. It was as intentional as every other detail of His story, echoing the many times in Scripture when God chose unlikely people and unlikely methods to reveal His glory.