G.K. Chesterton assumes a surprising and memorable perspective from which to view the events of Palm Sunday (Matthew 21:1-11)
The Donkey
by: G.K. Chesterton
When fishes flew and forests walked
And figs grew upon thorn,
Some moment when the moon was blood
Then surely I was born.
With monstrous head and sickening cry
And ears like errant wings,
The devil’s walking parody
On all four-footed things.
The tattered outlaw of the earth,
Of ancient crooked will;
Starve, scourge, deride me: I am dumb,
I keep my secret still.
Fools! For I also had my hour;
One far fierce hour and sweet:
There was a shout about my ears,
And palms before my feet.
In an online search it is easy to find many instances of cruelty to donkeys[i] and at least one article[ii] states that “a donkey’s ability to suffer in silence… has made it one of the world’s most abused animals.”
Chesterton points out that the donkey has all the appearance of being a spawn of the devil. Not the sleek lines or haughty demeanour of the war horse for him. Almost universally despised, and often scourged, especially in the Middle East. With ears like demon wings and a cry like theirs, he is only good for one thing – to be a beast of burden. Otherwise even his food is begrudged him.
But those who thus maltreat and despise him are fools. For his Creator chose no mighty stallion or chariot to ride in triumph through the gates of Jerusalem. He chose the creature whom all others discount and deride. He chose a donkey.
Just once, a donkey did speak – to Balaam (Numbers 22:28-30) – so we know that the donkey does indeed keep his secret. He is dumb in word but not in mind.
What a subversion! What a scandalous thing – that this poor creature, an unclean beast, despised by all, should be so shockingly vindicated by God’s own Messiah. And the donkey points, in pale imitation, to the astounding elevation given to his Rider – Isaiah 52:13-53:1 (NET):
13 “Look, my servant will succeed! He will be elevated, lifted high, and greatly exalted –
14 (just as many were horrified by the sight of you) he was so disfigured he no longer looked like a man; his form was so marred he no longer looked human –
15 so now he will startle many nations. Kings will be shocked by his exaltation, for they will witness something unannounced to them, and they will understand something they had not heard about.
53:1 Who would have believed what we just heard? When was the LORD’s power revealed through him?
Chesterton’s donkey is a picture of the Saviour, scourged, derided, yet remaining dumb. He too was regarded as the devil’s spawn (Matt 12:24; Mk 3:22, 30; John 7:20; 8:48, 52; 10:20) and “the tattered outlaw of the earth (Luke 22:52)”. Given only vinegar to drink. His face and form so marred as barely to be recognised as human. A beast (Psalm 22:6), good for nothing but to carry our sins. With a stubborn will that was beyond ancient, and regarded as crooked even by His disciples, He set His face like a flint to go to the cross. Universally despised and put to death by fools, but vindicated by God in resurrection (Romans 1:4) and exalted to highest heaven (Philippians 2:9-11).
What a stupefying, incredible thing that, in such a one as this, the mighty arm of Yahweh should be revealed. “Christ crucified; a stumbling block to Jews, and foolishness to Greeks, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.”
And so it was with His Bride returned from exile ( Jeremiah 30:17) and is now with the suffering Church (Romans 8:31-39).
Only fools think otherwise.
Revd. Arthur Kay is the pastor of a congregation in Bolton, England.
[i] E.g. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kv9LHPYhyMw
[ii] https://www.express.co.uk/expressyourself/188848/Why-does-the-world-pick-on-the-donkey