Matthew 21:5, ““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.’”

• Donkeys have been domesticated since 3000, BC.
• Donkeys are more efficient than horses when used in transport duties because a donkey eats only about one-quarter of the oats that a horse does.
• Donkeys were used throughout the times of the Bible.
• Abraham rode a donkey, as did Moses. Jacob’s sons rode donkeys. In the book of Judges, judges rode on donkeys as well.
• David was a king, perhaps the greatest in Israel’s history, and he rode a donkey.
• As they trekked to Jerusalem, Mary rode a donkey to Bethlehem while she was pregnant with Jesus.

• Donkeys have a reputation of being stubborn.
• Donkeys work best when they trust the person.
• Donkeys are hard workers.
• Donkeys are regarded as dirty, low, humble animals.
• Donkeys can navigate treacherous, rocky surfaces.
• Donkeys can hold their own against predators. They have been known to kill foxes, coyotes, and even mountain lions with their sharp hooves and powerful kicks.

So Jesus, riding on a donkey, fulfills the characterization that the King would be “lowly.”

The symbolic character of the donkey as an animal used for peaceful purposes stands in marked contrast to a horse, whose imagery associates with war.

A man riding on a donkey is not looking for war, and in Jesus’ case, He came instead to save, carried on perhaps the lowliest of animals.

Jesus is the Prince of peace.

Jesus came so you can have peace with God.

He came so you can have peace with yourself.

He came so you can have peace with others.

No God, no peace.  Know God, Know peace!

Happy Easter!