Sunday, 3/29/2026

TRUTH LESSONS FROM A DONKEY

Palm Sunday is the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecy in: Zechariah

9:9 – “Rejoice greatly… Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and

having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal

of a donkey.”

Matthew 21:1–11 (ESV) Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came

to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2  saying

to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a

donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3  If

anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he

will send them at once.” 4  This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the

prophet, saying, 5 “Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your king is coming

to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a beast of

burden.’ ” 6  The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. 7  They

brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on

them. 8  Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut

branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9  And the crowds that

went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son

of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the

highest!” 10  And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up,

saying, “Who is this?” 11  And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus,

from Nazareth of Galilee.”

On this Palm Sunday, we can learn powerful biblical truths from the donkey

in the story of Jesus’ Triumphal Entry.

1. JESUS – The One and Only Savior and Lord

Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey to show He is the King of

peace, not the King of war.

Contrast Between Jesus’ First Coming and His Second Coming:

First Coming: Riding on a donkey (beast of burden)

Second Coming: Riding on a great white horse (Revelation 19:11)

First Coming: Came alone with only a few disciples

Second Coming: Followed by the armies of heaven on white horses (Revelation 19:14)

First Coming: Wore a crown of thorns

Second Coming: Many diadems (royal crowns) on His head

First Coming: Called “King of the Jews”

Second Coming: King of kings and Lord of lords

First Coming: Mocked and spit on

Second Coming: Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2:10-11)

First Coming: Meek and lowly

Second Coming: Comes in power and glory

First Coming: Hung in humiliation on a cross

Second Coming: Will sit on a throne as King of kings and Lord of lords

Colossians 1:19-22 (ESV) For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to

dwell, 20  and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth

or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. 21  And you, who once

were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22  he has now

reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and

blameless and above reproach before him.

Through Jesus we have peace with God by the blood of His cross.

2. The Disciples and the Crowd

The Disciples obeyed Jesus by bringing the donkey, but they did not fully

understand the significance of what was happening. They thought they

were going to be generals in an earthly kingdom.

The Crowd shouted “Hosanna!” but many proved to be “fair weather

admirers” rather than true followers. By the end of the week, most had

turned away.

3. Truth Lessons from the Donkey (We are like the donkey!)

The young donkey in the story represents us as lowly sinners whom Jesus

wants to use.

What we learn from the donkey:

1. Jesus had a divine purpose for the donkey. → God also has a divine

purpose for your life. (John 3:16; Ephesians 2:4-7)

2. The donkey was chosen by Jesus. → We have been chosen by God

before the foundation of the world. (Ephesians 1:4-5; Ephesians 2:10)

3. They put garments on the donkey so Jesus could ride. → When we come

to Christ, we are clothed with Christ. (Galatians 3:27)

4. The donkey (never ridden before) became submissive to Jesus. →

We must be submissive and obedient to Jesus’ leading. (Luke 9:23 – “If

anyone would come after me, let him deny himself… and follow me.”)

5. The donkey made Jesus more visible to the crowd. → When we

humble ourselves and serve, Jesus becomes more visible in our lives. “It’s

not about my kingdom — it’s about Jesus’ kingdom!”

Do You Resemble the Donkey?

The donkey was Tied up → We are all born bound by sin. Jesus came to set

us free! (Galatians 5:1)

The donkey was Untamed (never ridden) → We are naturally stubborn and

rebellious. (Romans 5:10)

The donkey was Outside → Many people today are “without Christ… having

no hope and without God.” (Ephesians 2:12-13) But Jesus is the Door! (John

10:9)

Application & Challenge

God is calling you to:

Let Jesus be Lord of your life

Daily clothe yourself with Christ

Follow Him obediently, even when you don’t know the full route

Humble yourself so that Jesus becomes more visible

Serve Christ faithfully so He is glorified

Jesus wants to make a triumphal entry into:

Your home

Your workplace

Your church

Your conversations

Your heart