God looked down from ages past at His beloved creations, He chose a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey, to carry His Son. The Almighty looked from eternity into the gentle eyes of the animal who would faithfully carry His Son, as King, into Jerusalem.
God bent down, and drew ash-coloured cross upon the donkey's back. This sign is almost a symbol of the crucifixion-week of the Christ, which lay ahead.
Every being is precious in God's Sight, and this chosen donkey was destined to carry the King of kings into Holy City. This foal would do, without rearing or fright, whilst palm fronds waved, hosannas rang, and cloaks were thrown upon the path of Jesus.
This is what the donkey had been born for. For greatness. For what greater is there than to carry the weight of the King of kings upon your shoulders, with devotion and joy? Just so do we carry the weight of Jesus' expectations upon our shoulders. Obey the commandments. Be faithful. Be kind. Do not lie. Do not steal. Jesus expects us to be like Him - loving and gentle and life-respectful.
Long after the crosses had been taken down, and resurrection-tomb stone had creaked out of the doorway, the donkey passed on. Surely there is a heaven where this faithful one looked once more upon the gentle King Who so lovingly patted foal's head, during the ride into Jerusalem.
Let us, too, be faithful, to whatever the Lord calls for us. For God did not call us by accident. No, He looked down the ages and saw you - and me - and adjusted our missioned calls appropriately.
Humble bearer of Holy Son
From ages vast, before all time,
In wisdom deep, in love sublime,
God looked upon His works so dear,
Each soul, each life, both far and near.
In that gaze so vast, so wide,
He saw a colt, both meek and mild,
A donkey small, of humble birth,
Yet marked for purpose on this earth.
God looked into those gentle eyes,
So free of pride, so free of guise,
And chose this creature, soft and grey,
To bear His Son one sacred day.
He stooped in love, as legends tell,
To mark a cross where shadows fell,
An ash-toned sign upon his back,
A quiet grace he did not lack.
For every life, both great and small,
Is known to God Who fashioned all,
This small foal, so often passed,
Was held in love from first to last.
Then came the day, long prophesied,
When Christ the King in peace would ride;
Through Jerusalem with palms that swayed,
Amid cloaks along the roadway laid.
No fear the foal showed, no wild alarm,
He bore the King with steady calm;
While voices cried, “Hosanna, sing!”
As they hailed the saving King.
This was the work for which he was born,
Not crowned with gold, nor robed, nor worn;
But raised to greatness, pure and true -
To carry Christ as it passed through.
What is greater, tell us now,
Than to bear such weight with willing brow?
To lift the King with heart so free,
In humble, joyful dignity.
So too are we called forth to bear
The weight of love, the call to care;
To keep God's Word in all we do,
In thought, in deed, in purpose true.
Obey His law: be just and kind,
Keep truth and mercy close in mind.
Do not deceive, nor take, nor break
The bonds that love and trust must make.
Harm not a life, but guard it well,
Let peace within your spirit dwell,
“Be like to Me,” the Saviour said,
With gentle Heart and Love outspread.
Long after crosses fell and tomb was bare,
And risen light had filled both earth and air;
That little donkey passed away,
His task complete, on his final day.
Yet surely in God’s realm above,
Foal knew again that touch of love -
The King Who once, with tender hand,
Had guided him through Holy Land.
We as well are chosen still,
Not by our own, but by His will;
For God has seen through time's long haul,
Both you and I - our life's great call.
No life is cast by chance alone,
Each path to Him is surely known.
So let us answer, firm and true,
Whatever work God bids us do.
For in His sight, both great and small
Are held in love - He calls us all.
Image courtesy of ChatGPT with CN Whittle "Palm Sunday procession with celebration"
With thanks to Youtube
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