When the crowds shouted their hosanna’s lifting Jesus up to the title of king, or emperor, Jesus finds a young donkey and sits on it to fulfil what was engraved in the prophesy of Zechariah 9:9 “… See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”
Oh, not me.
I’m more of a stallion-type person. I don’t like sitting on donkeys. It takes too much humility.
Jesus never fished for human glory “I do not accept glory from human beings…” John 5:41 or “I am not seeking glory for myself; but there is one who seeks it, and he is the judge.” John 8:50
Jesus doesn’t stay at the mercy of our praise.
In Greek the word praise is [doksa] meaning: good opinion, approval, honor, or glory. Jesus didn’t care about the good opinion of the pharisees. They even dared to call him ‘demon-possessed’ because Jesus’ message was too offensive to them. Their opinion didn’t change Jesus’ purpose and mission.
Paul lived that way too “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Galatians 1:10 NIV
“Don’t compare yourself with others. Just look at your own work to see if you have done anything to be proud of. You must each accept the responsibilities that are yours.” Galatians 6:4-6 ERV
In the Old Testament the word praise is [kavod] meaning glory, or heavy weight.
What if we saw human praise and human approval as something too heavy to carry?
“Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord. For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.” 2 Corinthians 10:17, 18
“I say to the Lord, ‘You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.’ ” Psalm 16:2
As we’re tempted to play another round of musical chairs of comparison, let’s remember we’re all seated in a very unique spot, with unique gifts, personalities, and challenges.
Let’s sit with Jesus on that lowly donkey. Not comparing. Not boasting.
Jesus alone can bear the burden of glory and praise. Too weighty of a task for me.