Why Two Donkeys?

The donkey, a creature that predates Jesus by 3,000 years, found its most profound purpose in the birth of Jesus and His triumphant entry into Jerusalem 33 years later.

While exploring Jesus' life, we often overlook the significant roles played by two donkeys, Privileged and Honored. A deeper look into Jesus' life reveals the narratives of Privileged and Honored and the pivotal roles they undertook. We discover the unique donkey, Privileged, who carried the pregnant Mary from Nazareth to Bethlehem.

Christians typically believe Mary rode a donkey from Nazareth to Bethlehem just before the birth of Jesus. The Scriptures do not expressly state that she did; however, it is doubtful that Mary, who was in such an advanced pregnancy, walked about 90 miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem. The grueling trip and stressful environment may have taken them four to seven days. So, we give Privileged the benefit of the doubt.

The second donkey, Honored, is the animal Jesus rode into Jerusalem to fulfill the Old Testament prophecy that the Messiah would come riding on the back of a donkey. The Old Testament prophet Zechariah wrote in 484 B.C., "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation, Humble, and mounted on a donkey, even on a colt, the donkey's foal." (Zechariah 9:9)

The Apostle Matthew speaks of the second donkey, "Tell Daughter Zion, 'Look, your King is coming to you, gentle, and mounted on a donkey, even on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.'" (Matthew 21:5, HCSB)

Two lessons for today's Christian.

In biblical times, the donkey symbolizes the combination of necessary transportation and a generous dose of humility. The two donkeys, Privileged and Honored, teach Christians it's an honor to transport The Gospel and a privilege to share the Good News with humility.

Happy Easter.