An Unlikely Warrior

There’s a little donkey that lives on a well-kept farm with lovely red barns. I drive past whenever I go south to the city. When I first caught sight of him, standing out quite distinctly from all his companions in the farmyard, I noticed he was very young, quite small, and so different from the black and white cows that live on this cattle farm.

I was on my way to the city one day, and, as always, I looked for the little donkey as I passed the red barns. He was right in the middle of a group of cows, very much set apart in his surroundings. It was at this moment that I sensed the Lord speaking to me. I heard in my spirit, “unlikely warrior”. I smiled and slowed down a bit to get a better look at this unlikely warrior. I realised his job at the farm was probably to protect the cows from predators. A donkey can kick with both back legs at the same time. It’s unique in this ability as far as four-legged creatures go. The power in his double-barrelled kick can kill a wolf or coyote easily.

A few weeks ago, as I passed by once again, I was reminded of a character in the Bible who could easily be overlooked. He’s not named, but is discreetly there within the pages Of God’s word, in Matthew 21, Mark 11 and Luke 19, where he’s part of a much bigger story.

I’m talking about the little donkey that God chose to carry His Son Jesus into the city of Jerusalem. What an assignment! I doubt whether anyone paid much attention to the little donkey that day. All eyes were fixed on Jesus, who was causing a stir as He fulfilled the prophecy declaring the future coming of Zion’s King; ‘Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey’ (Zechariah 9:9).

We all have a part to play in God’s greater Kingdom story. Each one of us is an unlikely warrior for the King, chosen, equipped and gifted by our Father for work that’s been prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10). No matter how great a warrior for the King he seemed to be, the little donkey was not meant to be the focus in this great story. His purpose was only to obey and serve in a way which would point people to the King. Serving the King is the noblest assignment in the Kingdom.

Prayer: King Jesus, when You return, as Scripture promises, You will come in power and glory, and every single creature in heaven and on and under the earth will bow to You and confess You as Lord to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:9-11). No one will ask who You are as they did on the day that You made Your triumphant entry into Jerusalem. You will be recognised as Lord and King. May You be glorified through my life as I submit afresh to You this year. Amen.