On Palm Sunday, 2023, Pastor Linda Reese looked at the triumphal entry from an unusual angle: the young donkey Jesus rode into Jerusalem.

The first coming and the second

Jesus came the first time in humility: born in a manger, riding a colt, crowned with thorns, judged and nailed to a cross. He’s coming back as King of kings, as Judge, as the Lion instead of the Lamb, and every knee will bow (Philippians 2:10-11). Pastor Linda also warned about being a fair-weather friend. The crowd that shouted “Hosanna” scattered by the end of the week, and even Peter denied Him.

Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.

John 12:13 (KJV)

What the donkey teaches us

  • It was chosen. “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you” (John 15:16). Jesus chose to love us and die for us first; then we choose to accept or reject Him. God has a plan for every life (Jeremiah 29:11), and He’s a leader who goes with us through hardship.
  • It wore new garments. The disciples laid their coats on the colt (Mark 11:7). In Christ we get new clothes too: “as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Galatians 3:27).
  • It went where it was led, without knowing the destination, like Abraham on the way up the mountain with Isaac (Genesis 22).
  • It made Jesus visible. Riding above the crowd, Jesus could be seen. “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me” (John 12:32). Pastor Linda was clear: don’t worship the preacher. She’s a servant, pointing people to Him.
  • It was set free and brought to Jesus. It was tied where two ways meet, and we stand at a crossroads every day. Jesus is the door (John 10:9), and the truth makes us free (John 8:32).
  • It didn’t resist. “Quench not the Spirit” (1 Thessalonians 5:19). Pastor Linda admitted she argued with the Lord for years about becoming a pastor. Now she wouldn’t go back.

If Jesus came to your house

She closed with a familiar reading: if Jesus came to your house for a day or two, would you change anything? Would you dust off the Bible, change the music, watch your words? Serve Him faithfully all week, not just on Sunday. There’s no excuse not to read the Word now, with the Bible on your phone that can even read aloud to you.

Easter’s one week after Palm Sunday. Plan your visit. Sunday worship is 10:00 AM.