The Donkey Driver (2 Kin. 4:22-24) (Part 6)

JESUS CHRIST WAS GOD'S SERVANT.

Understand that Jesus isn't asking you to do anything He didn't model.

• In the Old Testament, Jesus was called the Servant.
• There are portions in Isaiah that are referred to as “The Servant Songs.”
• In the New Testament, Jesus called Himself “Servant” (Mk. 10:45; Lu. 22:27).
•  He was God's chosen servant (Lu. 9:35).
•  He was a humble servant (Mt. 11:29).
• He was an obedient servant (Mt. 26:39; Phil. 2:8).
• He was a focused servant.
• He was a silent servant (Isa. 53:7; Mt. 26:62-63a).
• He was a reliable servant (Jn. 17:4).

Jesus fulfilled the task – “drove the donkey” – that He was called to.

The Donkey Driver (2 Kin 4:22-24) (Part 5)

Conclusion:

Both the world and the church could do with fewer self-appointed superstars and more donkey-

drivers (more servants). Which would you rather be – Elisha, who does the miracle, or the unnamed servant, who drives the donkey? If we were honest, most of us would not choose to drive the donkey. It's not as exciting as raising the dead!

Here is God's invitation today: Will you drive the donkey? What do you mean, Pastor? Think of a “donkey” as a simple, non-glamorous task, for which you will receive little thanks, yet its completion is essential to the ongoing testimony of our church's story. You will champion this task by taking it on yourself.

Here are a few donkeys that need to be driven.

• The nursery needs to be re-done and brought up to daycare standards.
• The fellowship hall roof needs to be replaced immediately.
• The annual Thanksgiving Dinner Outreach needs to be coordinated.

Quote: "Christianity “is an intensely practical thing.”¹ (William Barclay) Without the practical things being done, the spiritual things don't seem to work as well.

If you want to “drive the donkey”, then you must embrace the traits of a servant.

1Barclay, William. The Letters To The Corinthians. Revised Edition. Daily Study Bible Series. Philadelphia, PA: Westminster Press, 1975. p. 116. (Barclay is commenting on 1 Cor. 12:28 re: “helps.”)

The Donkey Driver (2 Kin. 4:22-24) (Part 4)

5. THE SERVANT WAS RELIABLE.

HE WAS TRUSTED WITH THE WELFARE OF HIS MASTER'S BRIDE. All of a sudden, such a “menial” task took on great seriousness. The servant wasn't just driving a donkey; he was providing needed assistance for his master's wife and would be responsible for her welfare.

Instead of labeling what you are doing as “insignificant” or “menial”, consider Who it is that called you to do it. The “Who” must always frame the “what.”

The Donkey Driver (2 Kin. 4:22-24) (Part 3)

3. THE SERVANT WAS OBEDIENT.

WHEN ASKED TO DRIVE THE DONKEY, THE SERVANT DIDN'T COMPLAIN OR REBEL.

• He wasn't put out nor was he put down by being asked to do such a menial task.
• He didn't cop an attitude: “Now you're going to tell me how to drive the donkey?”
• He just wanted to do what he could with excellence and skill, while pleasing his authority.

4. THE SERVANT WAS FOCUSED.

HE DIDN'T SEE THE NEED TO TALK.  In the story, the servant didn't say one word to anyone. He made no small talk and gave no advice. 

How easily talk can sidetrack or distract people!  I travel Route 66 south often. Usually my intended destination is Monroeville, and my intended stops there are bookstores or specialty food stores. I know, what a narrow life, right?  Occasionally I have to go to Greensburg. I can't tell you how many times I've started towards Greensburg, only to find myself halfway up the ramp to Route 380 towards Monroeville.

No, my memory isn't slipping – at least I don't think so. Rather, it is that sometimes I can't drive and talk. If I don't concentrate on where I am going, I will end up somewhere else. It is not uncommon for my co-pilot to remind me, “Remember, you're not getting off here.”

In my situation, I turned around and got back on track towards Greensburg. I wasted a little time, but I still arrived at my destination.  In today's story, the servant couldn't afford to waste any time. Getting to Elisha sooner than later was essential. Had he made one wrong turn, perhaps the story doesn't end well.

You can talk yourself right into incompetency! When you need to act, talking something to death won't get the job done.

The Donkey Driver (2 Kin. 4:22-24) (Part 2)

FIVE OBSERVATIONS ABOUT THE UNNAMED SERVANT

1. THE SERVANT WAS CHOSEN. 

THE MASTER SELECTED HIM FROM AMONG HIS MANY WORKERS. What a privilege when the Master calls you to serve! Remember that He could've called someone else. Since He didn't, that makes you both necessary and special.

2. THE SERVANT WAS HUMBLE. 

HE KNEW WHAT HE COULDN'T DO. He couldn't resurrect the boy or comfort the mother. Either one would've been a “big” deal – highly noticed and much appreciated.

HE KNEW WHAT HE COULD DO. He could drive the donkey. That doesn't sound glamorous, does it? After all, when someone wants to make a contribution, he wants to make one that counts. Don't serve Jesus out of the capabilities you wish you had; serve Jesus out of the capability and opportunity that you do have.

The Donkey Driver (2 Kin. 4:22-24) (Part 1)

Introduction:

Society tends to put down those who are lowly, meek or quiet. Often they are considered “second class”. Some prefer that they be neither seen nor heard.

Society often values the wrong things.

• There is an emphasis on greatness, not humility.
• There is an emphasis on fame, not duty.
• There is an emphasis on rights, not responsibility.
• There is an emphasis on notoriety, not obscurity.
• There is an emphasis on aptitude, not attitude.
• There is an emphasis on leading, not serving.

Society tends to look down on, forget about or ignore the “small”, whether it is an event, a place or a person. Yet, great consequences come from small things. 

• Illustration: Tongue (Jam. 3:5)
• Illustration: O-Ring (Challenger)¹

This week's story is about a little man. No, his name is not Zacchaeus. (Only you Sunday School enthusiasts got that one.)

• We do not know his name or where he was from.
• We do not know why he was chosen for an assignment.
• We do not know anything that he might have said or thought.
• We only know that he was a servant who completed his work.

Read 2 Kin. 4:18-37 for context. This week's message is based upon verses 22-24.

What, exactly, did the servant do? He drove a donkey. That's it. What a resume builder! Can you imagine his next job interview?

“I see that you are in the domestic servant business.” Can you tell me about that?”

“I was servant for a prominent Shunammite man and his wife.”

“I see. What task did you most recently perform for that couple?”

“Well, I drove a donkey.”

In our world, there is slim chance that man gets hired because he can drive a donkey. Remember, though, that without this servant's donkey-driving expertise, there might not have been a miracle, since the woman wouldn't have gotten quickly to Elisha.

The unnamed, faithful servant is essential to this story. What can be said about him? There are five observations to consider.

1http://er.jsc.nasa.gov/seh/explode.html (accessed 08-06-16)