Donkeys and Palm Sunday

I learned something earlier this year from Anne and Abigail--something about donkeys that I don't remember hearing in all my live-long life. Here it is: Many donkeys have a cross-like symbol on their backs, which represents the role of the donkey in Christ's triumphal entry to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.

Here is another explanation I found on this Web site: "Legend tells us the donkey that carried Jesus into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday followed Him to Calvary. Appalled by the sight of Jesus on the cross, the donkey turned away but could not leave. It is said that the shadow of the cross fell upon the shoulders and back of the donkey. A cross marking found on many donkeys today remains a testimony of the love and devotion of a humble, little donkey."

My memory isn't what it used to be, but I don't think I'd never heard this--had you? Anyway, I am pretty sure this legend is not directly from Scripture--but it is interesting, nonetheless. I took the above photo when we went to Yellow River Game Ranch last month with my brother, Johnny, and his family.

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Palm Sunday 2009 was good. I was in Tennessee for my BIL's 40th birthday party, which was held Saturday night (more to come on that!). I got back earlier this evening. Tanna and Kate stayed here in the ATL. Here are a few photos from our day:

Hosanna! Singing and waving branches in the street @ my sister's church in Tennessee.


Palm rubbing by Kate Lim @ church in Atlanta.

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During church today and then later when I read the following passage (from Luke 19:29-44), the part that struck me is that even the rocks would cry out to Christ. EVEN THE ROCKS.

As (Jesus) approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, 'Why are you untying it?' tell him, 'The Lord needs it.' "

Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, "Why are you untying the colt?"

They replied, "The Lord needs it."

They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road.

When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:
"Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!"
"Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!"

Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples!"

"I tell you," he replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out."

As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, "If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God's coming to you."

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May each of us recognize the time of God's coming--this Holy Week and always.

HOSANNA IN THE HIGHEST!