Easter: A king on a donkey
There is a legend about an ancient village in Spain. The villagers learned that the king would pay a visit. In a thousand years, a king had never come to that village. Excitement grew. “We must throw a big celebration!” The villagers all agreed. But, it was a poor village. Someone came up with the idea that, since many of the villagers made their own wines, everyone in the village would bring a large cup of their best wine to the town square where it would be poured into a large vat. When the king visited he would be offered it and would think that it would be the best he’s ever tasted.
The great day arrived and the King was given a silver cup and was told to draw some wine.
He placed the cup under the spigot, turned the handle, and then drank the wine, but it was nothing more than water. You see, every villager had reasoned, “I’ll withhold my best wine and substitute water. What with so many cups of wine in the vat, the king will never know the difference!”
The problem was, everyone thought the same thing, and the king was greatly dishonoured.
© Don and Tonya Christner – source: www.flickr.com
This week we begin the Easter story with Jesus riding into town as a King. He was greeted by enthusiastic, cheering crowds spreading their coats on the road, as well as freshly cut branches. (It was their version of rolling out the red carpet.) But if you read Mark chapter 11:1-11 you will discover that their agenda and Jesus’ agenda don’t match. What Jesus need them to give they were not prepared to give. What Jesus wanted to do for the people they did not want to receive.
Imagine your street with a crowd of people in it all greeting a man riding on a donkey. You recognise the man as Jesus. People are laying things down. Some of your neighbours are rushing to lay things down too. Jesus approaches where you are standing, riding closer, as he passes by what do you lay down?
I don’t know what God wants to do for you this Easter time. I DO know that He wants to ride into your life. I don’t know if you need to surrender something that is precious to you but is causing you major problems in your relationship with God. I DO know that in my own life when I have let Jesus BE king then I have benefitted greatly.
It is not easy offering Jesus your “best cup of wine” but I think it is worth it. Why not try giving something to God this Easter and see what happens next?
(I am grateful for the inspiration from Matthew Rodgers when writing these thoughts)
