A Distinguishing Mark

John 12:12-14, Zechariah 9:9

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Donkeys throughout the world bear a distinguishing mark on their backs. It’s a darker part of their fur that runs along their entire spinal cord and also across their shoulders. Some would say that it’s even looks to be the shape of a cross that’s on their back. In fact, it’s not just on their fur, but it’s claim that you can shave off their fur and you’ll find that that dark symbol is even on their skin itself. For this reason, many Christians have wondered if there is perhaps a connection between this symbol on donkeys back to the story of Jesus triumphant entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. We hear a little bit of that story from John Chapter 12.

The next day, the large crowd that had come for the Festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. Taking palm branches, they went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord—the King of Israel!” Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it. (John 12:12-14 EHV)

On Palm Sunday, we hear that Jesus entered into Jerusalem with these crowds surrounding him, shouting his praises, calling him king as he rides into Jerusalem on a donkey. And you might wonder, why did he choose the donkey? Perhaps one of the reasons is that even back in King David and King Solomon’s time, it was common to have a royal mule or a royal donkey upon which the king would ride. And perhaps there’s a connection there for even Jesus.

Maybe even more so. It’s important for us to consider the words of Zachariah in his ninth chapter as he speaks about this event hundreds of years before it took place.

Rejoice greatly, Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! Look! Your King is coming to you. He is righteous and brings salvation. He is humble and is riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. (Zechariah 9:9 EHV)

Zachariah tells us some key details about this king. That he comes to bring salvation. But that he is also humble, riding on the back of a donkey. Perhaps Jesus chose a donkey to show his own humility in the way in which he would truly be those people’s king. No, he didn’t ride in to Jerusalem on a magnificent steed, on a big, strong horse, but a lowly donkey, perhaps to show the way in which it would go to the cross for them. Then it wasn’t through great power and might that he would overthrow the Roman government to establish his new rule. But it’s through his own suffering and death on a cross that he’d win for them eternal salvation. That he buy these people back for himself, redeemed them from all of their sins to guarantee them everlasting life.

That symbol on a donkey’s back certainly reminds us of Christ as it is in the shape of a cross. Let’s not overlook though the significance of the cross itself as a reminder to us that Jesus came into Jerusalem not simply to ride into Jerusalem in great triumph and power, but in loneliness and humility. As he went to the cross for you and for me to make full satisfaction for our sins, make us his very own dear children. Amen.