We do not know for sure what animals were in the stable when Jesus was born, but we can imagine that there were perhaps a donkey and some sheep and these are the animals we will look at in this study. It is likely that Mary rode on a donkey from Nazareth to Bethlehem since she was pregnant. A donkey plays an important role in prophecy concerning the Savior. Zechariah 9:9 says, “Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” This prophecy was fulfilled when Jesus entered Jerusalem during the last week of his ministry. When we look at the donkey in the manger scene we want to remember what Jesus came to do.
Luke 19:28-44
The Triumphal Entry
28 And when he had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples, 30 saying, “Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ you shall say this: ‘The Lord has need of it.’” 32 So those who were sent went away and found it just as he had told them. 33 And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?”34 And they said, “The Lord has need of it.” 35 And they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. 36 And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road. 37 As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, 38 saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” 39 And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” 40 He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”
Jesus Weeps over Jerusalem
41 And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, 42 saying, “Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. 43 For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a barricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side 44 and tear you down to the ground, you and your children within you. And they will not leave one stone upon another in you, because you did not know the time of your visitation.”
COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS:
What did Jesus ride into Jerusalem? (35)
What did the people do as he was riding by? (36-38)
How did the Pharisees respond to that? (39)
What did Jesus say would happen if he told his disciples to be quiet? (40)
Why did Jesus weep over Jerusalem? (42-44)
What does that show about Jesus?
THOUGHT QUESTIONS:
With all the miracles Jesus performed and all that he taught the people, why did the Pharisees fail to see him as the Messiah (Savior)?
What did they fail to receive as a result? (Note: The Pharisees followed the law of God on the outside in what they did, but they weren’t right on the inside.)
PRAYER:
Thank God that you are able to see that Jesus is the Savior who is worthy of all praise. Pray that you would help others to see who Jesus is.
FOCUS VERSE: Luke 19:38
Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!