The only animal in creation to have a distinct cross emblazoned on its body is the donkey. According to legend, the donkey that Jesus rode into Jerusalem when he made his triumphal entrance on the first Palm Sunday and later followed him to the place called Calvary, a hill near Jerusalem, became the first bearer of the distinctive cross marking. Grief stricken by the sight of Jesus on the cross on that day now known as Good Friday, the donkey turned away but couldn't leave. It was then the shadow of the cross fell upon the shoulders and back of the donkey and there it stayed. Since that fateful day on God's calendar, all donkeys have borne what has come to be known as the cross of Jesus on their backs. The Sign of the Cross indeed!
Throughout the Old and New Testament the donkey is mentioned 93 times! Quite remarkably, this peculiar creature has taken part in some significant biblical events, such as the time God caused the donkey to speak and rebuke the wicked prophet Balaam (Numbers 22:21-34) immortalized in Rembrandt's 1626 painting, Balaam and the Ass.
Every Christmas time the donkey is highlighted in cards, nativities and festive songs. In 1959, the legendary British singer, Gracie Fields had a big hit in the UK pop charts with The Donkey Song! A song describing Mary's journey into Bethlehem for the birth of Jesus.
In fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecy, Jesus, the Prince of Peace, purposely chose the donkey instead of a horse for his entry into Jerusalem as a symbol of peace and humility. Riding a horse would have been viewed as a mark of high military status. Zechariah 9:9 See, your king shall come to you; a just savior is he, meek and riding on a donkey.
Even in this modern era the donkey is hard at work in farming, transportation, navigating rough mountainous terrain and living up to its beast of burden status, benefiting its owners while exhibiting traits of service, suffering, peace and humility in keeping with the characteristics of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Is the cross on the donkey a sign from God? Is it pure happenstance?
Job, the long suffering, said in Chapter 12, verse 7 of the book that bore his name, But now ask the animals to teach you, and the birds of the air to tell you; Sure sounds like a lot of wisdom from a man who lived to the grand old age of 248!!
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