On one of my sister’s many trips to China, I took her to visit a student’s countryside home. If you asked for her memories, she’d mention eating all our meals outside, the hole-in-the-ground toilet which was also quite alfresco, and sleeping on a 炕,¹ the hardest bed either one of us had ever experienced.

Another memory stands out. On the day of our departure, we loaded onto a cart pulled by a small tractor for the ride to the bus station. As we putt-putted down the track, a baby donkey we’d encountered on walks caught sight of us and began to gambol along behind. We tried shooing it back to its mother, but it kept returning until we reached pavement and sped up, sadly leaving the cutie behind.

Reading Esau McCaulley’s reflections on the symbols of Palm Sunday brought to mind that sweet baby donkey. Now, I’m wondering why we label the day with human actions rather than Jesus’ intent. Granted, “Donkey Sunday” doesn’t quite have the ring that Palm Sunday does. However, would another term work?

“Humble Sunday” would remind us of how Jesus wasn’t riding into Jerusalem to conquer human enemies but rather to crush the head of Satan and sin by laying down his life for all, making peace with undeserving sinners like us.

“Gamboling Sunday” might help us join the celebration with child-like faith, letting go of all our adult inhibitions and worshiping Jesus with abandon as we revel in the freedom He brings.

“Love that Never Lets Us Go Sunday” would remind us of Jesus’ “Never Stopping, Never Giving Up, Unbreaking, Always and Forever Love.”² We can try to outrun His deep affection and run away from His tender mercy, but His love for us will never run dry.

“To the Ends of the Earth Sunday” would renew our commitment to following Jesus down His paths, putting to death our comforts, supports, and idols. But not with reluctant dread. Instead, like that baby donkey, we can sweetly and persistently trot behind Jesus wherever His paths may lead.

What’s on your mind this “Donkey Sunday”?

1. kang, a concrete platform bed; a fire can be built inside in the winter, but we were there during the summer. ↩︎
2. The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name by Sally Lloyd-Jones. ↩︎