A long time ago, in a quiet village just outside Jerusalem, there lived a small donkey with the Hebrew name Nasa.
Nasa was not the biggest animal in the village. He was not the fastest. And he was not the strongest.
The oxen were stronger. The horses were faster. And the camels carried heavier loads.
But Nasa was something else.
He was gentle.
Each day, Nasa carried baskets of grain. He walked dusty roads under the warm sun. He helped his owner faithfully, step by step.
No one cheered when Nasa passed by.
No one pointed and said, “Look at the donkey!”
But sometimes, children would gently pat his head.
From time to time, soldiers would pass through the village. They rode tall, powerful horses. Their armor shined in the sunlight. They horses stepped proudly, lifting their heads high.
People would stop and stare.
Nasa would watch quietly from the side of the road, thinking:
“Those are the animals chosen for kings.”
Then he would look down at his small hooves… and go back to his work.
One night, under the soft glow of the stars, Nasa stood quietly in his pen, and deep in his heart, he wondered:
“Could someone like me ever be chosen… for something important?”
But this night was still. No answer came. So, Nasa rested.
The next morning began like any other.
But before long, two men came walking into the village. They walked straight to Nasa and without hesitation they began to untie him.
The owner called out, “Why are you taking the donkey?”
And the men answered: “The Lord needs him.”
The Lord… needs… him?
Nasa’s ears lifted.
For the first time in his life… he felt chosen.
They led Nasa down the road toward Jerusalem.
Then, gently… someone sat on his back – it was Jesus.
There was something different about Him.
He was calm. He was kind. He was full of peace.
As Nasa walked, the road began to fill with people. They laid their cloaks on the ground. They waved palm branches in the air.
And they shouted:
“Hosanna”
“Blessed is the King!”
Nasa walked forward, step by step.
Not fast. Not proudly. But faithfully.
He carried the King of Kings.
Nasa began to understand something that day.
Kings usually rode tall horses. They came with power and noise.
But this King…
He came gently. He came humbly. He came in love.
And instead of choosing the strongest… He chose a small donkey.
People thought this was the beginning of a great celebration, but Jesus was coming for something even greater.
In a few days, He would carry a different burden.
A cross.
Not to show His power…
but to show His love.
Not to take life…
but to give it.
And through His sacrifice, He would win the greatest victory of all.
Nasa was never the same after that day.
He was still small. Still gentle. Still unnoticed by many.
But now he knew something he would never forget:
God does not choose the strongest…
He chooses the willing.
And it is not about how great you are…
It is about “Who you carry.”
And the little donkey named Nasa – whose name means “to carry” – carried the greatest treasure of them all.
“Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O Daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, you King (Messianic King) is coming to you; He is righteous and endowed with salvation, Humble and unassuming [in submission to the will of the Father] and riding on a donkey, Upon a colt, the foal of a donkey.” (Zec. 9:9 AMP)
“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us spreads and makes evident everywhere the sweet fragrance of the knowledge of Him.” (2 Cor. 2:14 AMP)
THE END.
I based this story off a blog I wrote many years ago about Jesus’ Triumphal Entry found in the Gospels.
We may not feel strong. We may not feel important.
But when we carry Jesus in our hearts – when we live with His love, His gentleness, and His humility – others begin to see Him through us.
Throughout Easter and throughout our lives let’s remember Who we carry and spread the sweet fragrance of knowing Him – Jesus chose you for this special purpose!
(Written by Doug Linser 2026)
