“Jesus, finding a young donkey, sat on it; as it is written, "FEAR NOT, DAUGHTER OF ZION; BEHOLD, YOUR KING IS COMING, SEATED ON A DONKEY'S COLT."”
I liked seeing this, that it says here only that “Jesus, finding a donkey…” In a sense, I think it is the truest account of this story.
In the other Gospels, it tells the story about how Jesus directed His disciples to go into town to find the colt and bring it to Him. So there is a sense in which the disciples could get “some credit” for their role in the story.
But in this gospel, it says simply that Jesus Himself found the donkey. This is actually, ultimately, the true statement, given that the disciples would’ve never looked for or found the donkey in the first place, if Jesus had not directed them.
And it made me think about how these disciples would not have been offended by John’s rendition of this story, because they knew that they had nothing to do with the finding of the donkey. They were just following orders.
And it made me think, I want to be like that! So aware that even what I do, I do only out of obedience to His command, and with the resources He has graciously given. So any good that I do, it is actually, ultimately true that He deserves the credit.
“...What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?”
1 Corinthians 4:7 NASB
Do I hope for a starring role in the movie at the end of time? That I get a mention in the credits, a cameo, or maybe even a speaking part?
Or, would it be best of all to me if, when the movie of the history of this world gets played, and it comes to the part where my life is, it was simply said, “Jesus did such and such”?
That there was such simple obedience, and so clearly nothing of self mixed in, that it is apparent to me and all others that it was simply, marvelously, Jesus really doing whatever it is that He asked me to do. He provided the resources, the guidance, and the strength for whatever role He asked me to play, so He rightfully gets all the credit for what He did.
This story has put a hope in my heart that the latter might be true. No credit, no mention. Just an unimpeded flow in the great story of what “Jesus did.”
This is what it means for God to “get all of the glory.” All means all. Like, all of it. None going to anyone else. All other names erased, all credit assigned to Him.
“And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, "To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever."”
Revelation 5:13 NASB
“"Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created."”
Revelation 4:11 NASB