The Easter Donkey

Abp. Leslie "Mary" Trombly

This story takes place a very long time ago in a faraway land known today as Israel. It was thirty- three years after King Herod was in rule and his son Herod Antipas, his son was in rule. King Herod was an evil man and His own son was just as wicked and evil. He had gained the throne by killing his own father. It was the season of Passover and after Jesus had preached and taught in the temple, by the sea, in the valleys, villages and in the high places of the mountains; it was time to complete the fulfillment of His father's instructions

The Lord God had sent his son into the world - not to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He loved His son and His children so much that God was willing to Sacrifice His only son to save us and prove how much He loves us. Now Jesus must complete His mission and his earthly journey is about to end.

Meanwhile in another village not too far from where Jesus and the Disciples were there was a stable of animals owned by a friend of Jesus' father, Joseph. There were camels, lambs, cows and donkeys. One of the donkey's name was Blest One. He was the littlest of the donkeys and all the other donkeys made fun of him. Blest One, like his grandfather, had a lot of spunk and spirit - let alone the same determination! Yet he was the humblest of all the donkeys. He took their picking on him and calling him names like "Shrimp" in good humor and would always tell them that someday he was going to do something very special and not one of them would ever get the chance to do what he was going to do. He had no idea how true his donkey words would be ! Little did he also realize that what his grandfather had said years ago was about to come true in him.

After teaching one of his last lessons of His Father and his kingdom, Jesus, knowing that his next task was to ride into Jerusalem on a donkey, sent two of his disciples to see his father's friend about a donkey for the journey into Jerusalem. His father's friend, Simeon, greeted the disciples with a hug and asked them what they were doing there instead of being with Jesus. The disciples told Simeon that Jesus was getting ready to enter into Jerusalem and he had need of a donkey; a very special donkey that was gentle of nature and spirit. The donkey he chose would be carrying royal cargo.

Simeon asked the disciples, "What kind of cargo is so royal that it requires that kind of donkey?" The disciples replied, " The Messiah". That is why we require a gentle donkey for journey to Jerusalem." Well then," said Simeon, "Let us go and find that special donkey!" Simeon paused again and asked the disciples, "Is Jesus really the Messiah that was promised?" One of the disciple answered, "By what is recorded by the prophets of old and by His own words, we truly believe that he is what He claims to be - The Son of God and the Messiah to our people and all people." Simeon thought about it for a moment ad replied, "Well like his father, Joseph, he will require a very special donkey, indeed. The one thing I ask is that I may join you in the one day journey back to Jesus and into Jerusalem. It has always been my heart's desire to see the Messiah before I passed from this world into that of His father's. " The disciples replied, " Come. Surely the master will have no objection to this request and we would be honored to have the man who was a friend of his father, join with us."

As they approached the stable where all the animals were, the animals were talking about who would the disciples pick to carry the Son of God into the city of Jerusalem. Kaspar, the elder, camel had heard the conversation between one of the disciples and Simeon, then told the animals what he had heard.

Soon all the donkeys were primping and boasting as to why they would be chosen to carry the Messiah to Jerusalem. Dorcus, the oldest of the donkeys, said, "I am the strongest and my walk is gentle. He will pick me!" No He won't !" said Rachea. "He will pick me because I am wise and I have the understanding of such a task." On and on they discussed who would be chosen to carry the royal and special cargo, all the while Blest One just stood by and prayed that God would chose the best one for the job.

"Quiet everyone!" said Simeon. "The disciples of my friend, Joseph's son, is here to select one of you donkeys for a special mission." One of you will be selected to him, on the journey to Jerusalem and I want you on your best behavior! The one selected will not only be carrying the son of Joseph but the Messiah, who is the Son of God ! Yes, they are all the same person and I expect that whomever is selected to be on their best behavior. "

The animals seem to understand all that Simeon had said and stood reverently still. One of the disciples laughed as he saw all the donkeys standing there all proud and straight while the other animals looked on. The disciples walked up and down the row of donkeys and just couldn't seem to find the right one. He turned to Simeon and said,"Is this all of them?" Simeon, said that there was one more; but he was sure that the last one would not be suited for the task. Joseph said,"Show him to me and I will decide for myself." So Simeon brought the disciples to where Blest One was and it was almost as if the hand of God had pointed to him! "Perfect!" , said the disciples, "Absolutely perfect!" Blest One couldn't believe what his donkey ears just heard!"Me?" he thought, "You want me? I am to small and no one ever wants me!"

The animals in the stable were awestruck and amazed! Could Blest One's grandfather have been right in what he said was going to really be doing something special in his life that no one else could ever do again, as he had done thirty-three years ago? They were left to ponder that as Simeon tried to persuade the disciples to pick another, but the disciples refused, saying that this was the one that God wanted His son to ride. Simeon said that Blest One was too small to carry such a heavy load; but the disciples told him that this is what the Lord God chose. The disciples paid Simeon for Blest Ones' use and waited for Simeon to get what he needed for the journey back to Jesus and into Jerusalem for Passover.

As the disciples were making the one day's journey, they told Simeon of the experiences they had with Jesus and all the miracles that Jesus had performed Blest One listened intently, absorbing all that he had heard and wondered if he would have a special place in heaven, like his grandfather said he would.

When they arrived at the place where Jesus was, Blest One was awestruck. The light and Glory that shown from Jesus' face , humbled him. When Jesus came to him and petted him and whispered, "Today little one, whose name is Blest one, you will have earned a very special place in my Father's and my kingdom. Blest One's heart leaped with Joy! All that his grandfather had told him was coming to past as it had for him. Now he and His grandfather will share the rest of their lives in joyous anticipation of heaven and the special place there, just for them.

Jesus got gently on Blest One's back and to Blest One it felt as if he were carrying a burden far more than the mere man on his back. He never complained about how heavy the load seemed to be. He just knew this was what he was meant for and what God had created him for . He walked with his load on his back as if he were being carried by God's angels and not once did he jounce or cause any discomfort to the royal cargo that he was carrying. No matter how tired he got, he was too happy and overjoyed to think about that!

When they finally got to the outside walls of Jerusalem, there were crowds of people with Palm branches and leaves waving them in the air or laying them on the ground before the Messiah. Blest One, with eyes wide with total and utter amazement, managed to keep his wits about him as he drunk in the joy and feeling of the humble pride of carrying the Son of God. When Jesus was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.

When they had entered the city, and some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples. Jesus calmly replied, "I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.." (Luke 19:37-40 ) This angered them; but Jesus continued on his way to the temple. When they arrived at the steps of thetemple, Jesus got off Blest One's back and whispered in his ear one more time,"Well done my little good and faithful servant." Jesus handed the reins to Simeon and then entered the temple. Outside in the courtyard Simeon sat down to eat and feed Blest One while they waited for Jesus to return. There was a ruckus on the inner courtyard and Simeon, grabbing Blest One by the reins headed towards the ruckus. They barely made it to the entrance when they saw birds flying everywhere goats and sheep fleeing and saw Jesus turning tables of the moneychangers over. They heard Jesus exclaim," It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves." (Matthew 21:13). Blest One felt the power of the Messiah's words and it made him tremble. Simeon sensing this, put his hand on Blest One's neck and reassured him that Jesus was dealing with evil men.

What was to take place this Passover week would forever be burned into Blest One's mind forever and he would tell the story over and over again, as Simeon would. He would tell of how they convicted an innocent man, beat him beyond belief, mocked him, gamble for his clothing and hang Him on a cross to die. Only then would the truth of the matter that He was the Son of God be revealed and so few accept it. The best was yet to come and Blest One found great pride and joy in telling it. Jesus had risen from the dead on the third day as he had promised and hews no longer bloody and beaten . He still carried the scars of it all, but HE WAS ALIVE!

He had fulfilled the Prophecy from the prophets of old and given us all the promise of eternal life when we accept the greatest gift of Love from God. It took Blest One a long time to finally settle down, one he was back in his stable; but he finally feel asleep to dreams of being with the Messiah forever.

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