Your Ride, Your Majesty

“Do not be afraid, people of Zion! Look! Your king is coming. He is riding on a young donkey.” John 12:15

“Your Majesty”. Perhaps the first time we hear that phrase it is in the context of a child’s fairy tale or a Disney animated story. The “Majesty” is always the king or queen resplendent in their royal garb. The crown sparkles with gemstones on their head and the gold vestment flows down from their shoulders as they sit upon their elevated throne. A subject has entered, kneeling below, waiting for his “Majesty” to lower the scepter, indicating his approval.

In all those scenes, from Grimm to Shakespeare, I do not recall a single donkey. There may be fine horses, and a pet royal cat, fat and grumpy; but never a donkey. So, when Jesus rides into Jerusalem to the shouts for “Hosanna”, I wonder what people truly thought.

Donkeys in the Middle East, and during Jesus’ time, were much smaller than what we Americans usually picture. I can imagine Jesus entering the gates of the city, His feet inches above the dirt, riding the back of the rustic and decidedly non-majestic animal! What is even more surprising, though, is that God had told His prophets to look for exactly that scene. Their king would come…riding on a donkey!

We get so used to this picture, we forget to guffaw. It is like saying, “The president is arriving…in a Yugo.” (Or insert some other unlikely mode of presidential transportation). First, we do not expect, nor even want our leaders to traipse around in such an unbecoming nature. We certainly applaud those who appeal to the common man, but we never imagine they should have to take public transportation. The president deserves better, and we expect it to be that way.

Is does not surprise me, though, that Jesus would arrive to the Jewish capital on such a humble ride. If one has read the gospels, or even knows a bit about His story, we would never expect Him to purchase first-class seats. Jesus always took the humble road; met with adulterers, had dinner with “sinners”, and made best-friends of lowly lepers.

What does surprise me is that Jesus also claims to be the Majesty of all majesties! Even though He arrives on a donkey, He is the creator of the War Horses who pull Caesar’s chariots. Though He has no permanent address, He is enthroned above all heaven and earth. Though He is worthy of eternal worship, He disdains the noisy crowd that would put Him on a throne that day.

He is King of kings and chooses a donkey for His ride. He is telling us something about the Creator of the universe. And we miss it all so easily. In the pomp of “Hosanna”, in the pulse of a loud worship band, in the cacophony of shouts for political power, Jesus rides underneath it all. He is not “above the fray”, He is below it! And, though the prophecies said to watch for a king on a donkey, everyone wanted a king who could command chariots.

And we are no different. We claim we want the humble Jesus, but guzzle down end-time scenarios with Jesus bloodying His sword on those we can’t wait for Him to judge. (Reread Revelation, and consider; is the blood on His vestments not the blood of His adversaries, but instead, His own, offered for all sinners?) The kingdom of God knows only one kind of power: humility.

There is great rest for the one who accepts the Jesus who rides on donkeys. There is great relief to know the Lord of all is willing to ride so low to the ground. He is not above it all; He is within touching-space of everyone who gathered to watch His arrival that day. He remains the same today. The High and Holy One arrives as the Lowly One.

Do not miss Him because you are looking so high. Learn humility from His example. He had no reason for humility. He is perfection, moral purity, love without condition, righteousness that cannot be bribed. He has every right to dwell high and above the constant sin and degradation this planet is subject to. But, instead, He comes close, so close, that if you were there that day, to touch Him, you would have also experienced odor of a donkey!

Do not think you must resort to some sterile sanctuary, steam-cleaned and ready for Sunday morning. Jesus inhabits real life; the sweat of work, the tears of pain, the calluses of constant labor and the laughter of teens sharing the latest inside humor. He has chosen to dwell among us, and that is where He usually will be found.