Have you ever been to a donkey party? Most likely, you have, though you may not know it. Donkey Parties were invented in 1887 by Philadelphia resident Charles Zimmerling. The party consisted of a group of guests, a large picture of a donkey, some tails, pins, and a blindfold. LIGHTBULB! Yes, you have been to a donkey party, now known as Pin the Tail on the Donkey.
Donkey Parties took the US by storm in 1887. Everyone in every station in life fell in love with the simple game. Even halls of government were affected.
The Donkey Parties.
Jefferson City, Jan. 28.
Editor Bazoo: The very latest social wrinkle that is convulsing capitol society, is the “Donkey parties.” Everybody, “that is anybody,” is trying that dexterous feat of “tailing the donkey.” Unless one has tried that adroit deed, you have no conception how much mental and physical strain is required. I have seen grave dignitaries and wily Representatives waltz confidently up to the donkey and miss him by ten feet. Senator Jacobs came very near attaching the caudal appendage to the neck, and Speaker pro tem Russell left the rear attachment on the off hoof. Senator Gears the jolliest man in the senate, is contemplating giving a “Donkey party” in the basement of the capitol, to “donkeys” only of the two foot tribe, and demonstrate practically that no blinded man can successfully accomplish the act in one trial, only.
The Sedalia Weekly Bazoo (Sedalia, Missouri), February 1, 1887, page 5.
Zechariah 9:9 describes a different kind of donkey party: “Rejoice, O people of Zion! Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem. Look, your king is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet he is humble, riding on a donkey—riding on a donkey’s colt.
The account of this prophecy’s fulfillment is recorded in all four gospels. We call it Palm Sunday.
Matthew focuses on the prophecy. His audience was Jewish, so this makes sense.
Mark shares the account in a narrative or story form, fitting his abbreviated, though original, gospel.
Luke records Jesus’ mindset as He rode the donkey approaching Jerusalem. The crowds celebrated, but He wept over His people’s lostness.
John shows us how the disciples felt, which makes sense as John was one of the original twelve.
Jesus’ actions disrupted the norm. In fact, one definition of disruption is acting outside the established norm. Here are four ways that Jesus disrupted the norm.
First, Jesus rode a donkey rather than a stallion. Stallions were a symbol of power and wealth. A donkey symbolizes humility.
Second, Jesus came to conquer sin, not Rome. The people of Israel looked for a political deliverer. They found a Suffering Savior, as prophesied in Isaiah 53.
Third, Jesus wept over the city and the nation while the people celebrated. You would think that a leader who received palm branches and clothing in their path would be celebratory, but Jesus’ focus was how lost they were.
Fourth, Jesus disrupted the Pharisaical system of rule. The Pharisees were appalled by the crowd’s worship of Jesus, but He did not stop them. He said that if the crowds did not worship, the rocks would. This statement added to the Pharisees’ anger and ultimately led to Jesus’ death.
Jesus brought disruption everywhere He went. The established norm was not the will of the Father. So, the Son of God came to earth as a baby to disrupt the established system.
Today, Jesus wants to step into your life and disrupt the norm—the normalness of sin, idolatry, your thinking, and your actions. Jesus wants to change you.
In turn, we are also called to disrupt the lives of others by showing them the path to Christ and that there is freedom in His name. We further move to disciple those around us, helping them become more and more like Jesus…bringing further disruption.
The next time you see a donkey in a field or play Pin the Tail on the Donkey, remember that Jesus came to disrupt your life. When He does, that is the best party you will ever have, with or without the donkey.
Through Time 