As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.” This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: “Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’ ” The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
—Matthew 21:1-11

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The Beast of Burden Bears a King
By Jennifer Kane

He came not on a stallion,
no sword flashing in sun,
but seated low—
on a creature of dust and labor,
a donkey,
the unsung servant of the fields.

The people cheered,
palms brushing the path like whispers of hope,
“Blessed is He who comes
in the name of the Lord!”

They did not see the irony—
a King of glory,
choosing the low road.
Choosing the beast
who knew only the weight of others’ loads,
and still carried them.

Not swift like the warhorse,
but steady,
faithful,
humble.

This donkey—
too often called stubborn—
was the first to obey.
He bore the Prince of Peace
through a city ready for war,
through crowds praising
with lips that would later betray.

He was the symbol,
a sermon in motion:
that peace marches quietly,
that glory wears dust on its feet,
that even a humble creature
can carry the weight of salvation.

And so the palms waved,
and the cloaks fell,
and the path was made straight—
for a burdened world,
for a humble Savior,
and the patient donkey
who knew what kingship really meant.

~~~~~

Scripture: Matthew 21:1-11

Jesus didn’t enter Jerusalem on a warhorse, but on a donkey—an animal of burden, humility, and quiet strength. This choice was no accident. It was prophecy fulfilled (Zechariah 9:9), but also a message: the Kingdom of God is unlike any kingdom we’ve known.

Jesus came as the Prince of Peace, not a warrior. His mount reflected this. In a world aching for justice, power, and control, Jesus subverted expectations. He showed that true power rides in humility and that peace can be a procession, not a battle.

The donkey represents tireless service. Just as it carried physical burdens, it carried the Savior who would bear our spiritual burdens on the cross. Palm Sunday reminds us that God’s plan often rides on the shoulders of the lowly and willing.

The same animal that once spoke to Balaam in Numbers 22 now carries the Word made flesh. God can use anything—or anyone—to speak, move, and fulfill His divine will. Are we listening, even to the unexpected?

The donkey, a beast of burden, bore Christ on His final approach to the cross. What a picture: the burden-bearing beast carrying the One who would carry the world’s sin. On Palm Sunday, we see the beginning of that journey of grace.

Often labeled stubborn, the donkey was the first to obey that day. While the crowd would soon waver—singing praise one day and shouting “Crucify!” the next—the donkey simply carried Christ forward. May we follow with that same steady obedience, even when the crowd is fickle.

~~~~~

Lord Jesus, thank You for showing me that humility is strength, and peace is power. Teach me to be like the donkey—steady, willing, obedient. Help me carry Your presence into every space I enter, with gentleness and purpose. May I lay down my palm branches—my pride, my fears, my control—and welcome You in. Amen.

April 13 2025