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 The Man Who Knew

by David L Lewis -- who sojourns the earth as is appointed to mankind

And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way;
others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way.
And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying,
“Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord;
Hosanna in the highest.” (Matthew 21.8-9, KJV)

Sunday before Easter is universally celebrated in Christianity as Palm Sunday. Preceding worship services children parade with palm leaves, songs are sung, story of borrowed donkey re-told. Many might hear the story; yet, few, if any, know what the man on the donkey knew.

He knew the path that brought Him there

He had been schooled in the Old Testament and teachings of the Rabies. He had walked from one end of Israel to the other; spoken in churches where He could, in open fields and hillsides when necessary, to individuals at wells on occasion. He taught new understandings of God with which we still wrestle. He had made worshipers among the people and enemies among the clergy. He knew where to borrow the donkey, and where His path must lead.

He knew all earthly glory is fleeting

The crowds cheered. Here, they thought was the man who would overthrow the tyrannical government. The man on the donkey, though, knew the praise of man passes quickly; that only the glory which comes from the Father lasts, or matters. His glory comes even when enemies prevail.

And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, “Master, rebuke Thy disciples.” And He answered and said unto them, “I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.” (Luke 19:39-41 KJV)

He knew what death is

We all know death must come. We all know the fears of death that haunts. All of us ask, what is it like to die, will it be painful, will it come unexpected, will I fight it? What happens when all human experiences are gone, all knowledge lost, all tasks to do left undone? Death, as it comes to all men, would come to the man on the donkey. Unlike mere man, He knew what it is.

He knew what lies beyond

Heaven. The written text does its best to describe it. Preachers try to help imagine it. ‘Near death experiences’ told somehow never seem able to put the encounter into faltering human words. In the end, only the man on the donkey, who comes therefrom, knew.

He knew His purpose

It may be impossible for human minds to completely comprehend purposes of the Father. The man on the donkey knew death lay seven days away. Heaven, in all its glory, would come in due course. His purpose in taking this path, however, was to demonstrate to mankind the Resurrection promise. His teachings and prophesies would stand over 2,000 years. But, the entire gospel He gave rests on the Resurrection. If there is no Resurrection from death, there is no need for the man on the donkey.

Now if Christ be preached that He rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. I Corinthians 15:12-14 (KJV)

The man on the donkey was Jesus of Nazareth, called Christ in Greek, Messiah in Hebrew. He is the man who knew.

theDaddy!