And when they came nigh to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth forth two of his disciples, And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him. And if any man say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye that the Lord hath need of him; and straightway he will send him hither. And they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door without in a place where two ways met; and they loose him. And certain of them that stood there said unto them, What do ye, loosing the colt? And they said unto them even as Jesus had commanded: and they let them go. And they brought the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on him; and he sat upon him. And many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down branches off the trees, and strawed them in the way.
Mark 11:1-7
As was noted in the post The Donkey's Gospel, a donkey was eligible for redemption by the sacrifice of a substitutionary lamb. Unclean animals could be redeemed by money or goods. The firstborn of all clean animals had to be sacrificed. Only the donkey could be redeemed by blood. Other than man, only a donkey could be redeemed in such a manner. This fact itself should lead one to wonder if there is a deeper meaning to the plight of a donkey in scripture? While we see the story of any human's redemption in the story of the donkey, there is also a prophetic look at the nation of Israel further under the surface of this Bible type and shadow.
Israel should have discerned the prophetic significance of that Sunday 2000 years ago when the long awaited Messiah rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. There was Jesus on the back of an animal that already had a symbolic cross on its back. Think about it. What were the chances that the prophesied Savior would ride into Jerusalem on an animal that bore a cross from creation? Jesus was the meek and lowly Savior destined for the place where atonement would be made. Whether they realized the significance of the event, Israel choose the Lamb of God with shouts of, "Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord:Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest (Mark 11:9-10)." Like His human forefather, David, Jesus too rode into town riding on a donkey. David showed the type of the cross in the first coronation ceremony of his reign.
Like the donkey of Mark 11, Israel's national rejection of Messiah has left her bound at a place where two ways meet. Paul understood this significant event when he penned the following two verses in Romans 11:25 and 28, "For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in...As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes. That last sentence shows the love of God and the gracious heart of the Father--they are beloved. Jesus will soon speak for stubborn Israel and release her from the bondage brought about by another master.
Paul also understood that God has not finished with Israel yet. She is bound in the very same land from whence she came just as all of the prophets have shared. She is bound by world opinion and satanic attitudes. Satan is using everything he can to hurt Israel as he thinks that destroying Israel will be a way to prove that God is incompetent and without strength to bring about His promises. He uses replacement theologians, murderous terrorists with the zeal of false religion, the UN, the media, the governments of gentile nations, and a long list of ways, means, and methods to demonize Israel and the Jewish people. Truly, this tiny nation is bound at a place where two ways meet--the way of the World and the place of God's appointment. It would be sad were this the end of the story.
However, very soon a command will be shouted. It was a shout heard in ancient Egypt. It will be a shout from the Prophet like unto Moses. Christ will shout, "Let my people go!" The period between Zechariah 9:9 and 10 has two thousand years between it. In verse 9, we see Christ coming as the meek and lowly savior riding on a donkey. However, in verse 10 we see Christ returning and establishing a reign of peace. "And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem, and the battle bow shall be cut off: and he shall speak peace unto the heathen: and his dominion shall be from sea even to sea, and from the river even to the ends of the earth." He will destroy all the implements of war and establish a reign of peace. He will speak peace to the heathen!
Israels future will be a glorious one. Genesis 49:9-10 says that Christ will bind His donkey to the choicest vine. No longer will they be bound to wretched conditions, but Israel will be bound to blessings. Zechariah noted that Israel will be like bright shining gems. What a glorious day! It is truly a day Soon2Come! Are you ready for it. If not, choose Christ today as your personal savior! While you are praying, pray for the peace of Israel. Pray for the soon return of the Prince of Peace!
And the LORD their God shall save them in that day as the flock of his people: for they [shall be as] the stones of a crown, lifted up as an ensign upon his land. For how great is his goodness, and how great is his beauty! corn shall make the young men cheerful, and new wine the maids.
Zechariah 9:16-17
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