Palm Sunday is the telling of when Jesus entered Jerusalem in the last days before his passing.
This tale tells the day, not through the eyes of humans, but from the views of two different animals; a horse and a donkey.
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Our story of two views starts with the introduction of a horse called Marcellus. He was a horse bred for the mightiest of leaders or kings. As such Marcellus was well looked after and groomed to look impressive; to fulfil his duties if that be standing on the battlefield or in a grand procession. It just wouldn't have been right if Marcellus wasn't up in the lead.
Marcellus was seen as a proud and noble steed, living his life in the finest of stables in Rome, cared for by the finest of stable-hands, decked out in the finest gold and jewels and had won many prizes. Marcellus in his duties had come to gain much admiration and applause.
Marcellus, at this time, belonged to a Roman general, the one Pontius Pilate, a figurehead ready to stamp authority and rule. This made Marcellus a very important horse, and life couldn't be more exciting for him.
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Our second viewpoint is from that of a young male donkey, a stubborn and slow creature, Zedekiah, we'll call him Zed for short. He was bred for nothing all that special; only good for labour and a heavy load. In his life and in his work this donkey wasn't well looked after and was certainly not groomed nor cared for.
Overall, Zed wasn't all that impressive, just a normal donkey for the dull dirt track or the back alleyways.
Zed lived his life in a shabby cattle shed, located on the outskirts of the city of Jerusalem. As a donkey, Zed, was overlooked, only given food and water as a must, decked out with reins to pull his cart, Zed received shouts to move faster. His life was very boring and uneventful.
Zed was owned by no one of great importance, and had never had a real rider.
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At the time of palm Sunday, over nineteen centuries ago, the vast Roman empire had brought Marcellus to Jerusalem, as his rider, Pontius, had been assigned to take up office out there, to show all in the empire's eyes who held the power.
As Marcellus and his rider, in saddle, Pontius approached the city, both held their heads up high and both dressed in the finest of splendour, a true design to impress the conquered people.
They both expected to be greeted by crowds and to hear their cheers of jubilation, a true fanfare welcome. Instead they both received nothing, not even a murmur, as the streets were kept empty despite his grand footwork, well woven mine and splendid golden reins and saddle.
A true heavy blow for this horse to take, Marcellus was truly saddened and angry, and still he was made to trot silently on through the city, unrecognised and truly ignored.
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On the very morning of palm Sunday, as the chatter of Jesus' arrival into Jerusalem met the ears of the people, Zed the donkey was tied up to a post by his cattle shed; he was waiting for his run of the mill day to begin, all sad and miserable.
Suddenly though two men joined by his grumpy owner walked up the way. Zed saw them speaking briefly to one another, the man held out his hand and with a handshake some agreement was made, and as his owner hid a laugh the two men undid the knot and took Zed away.
Zed was now led down to the city. 'What was going on?' the donkey thought.
The two men were approached by another 11 men, a plain grey blanket was draped over Zed's back and one of the men stepped forward.
He stroked the donkey gently, this man seemed so sure and confident of his purpose and goal, and Zed seemed not to move nor resist, he for the first time welcomed this touch and showed no nerves the man came to sit up onto his back. 'My first rider,' the donkey thought.
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With his rider on his back, they set off towards Jerusalem, and as they approached the city gates a crowd soon began to gather. As they now walked through Jerusalem some cheered, some waved, - Hosanna to the king of kings - - Hosanna to the true son of David - while others here placed down cloaks and palms onto the street at the donkey's feet, like a red carpet for royalty. It was soon becoming a grand procession, a true occasion. 'Wow all this for this simple rider, the man must be someone so special, so important' thought Zed, now feeling so special and so proud in his own right, yet still being kept humble by the man's stance and actions.
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Zed heard them in the crowd call his rider, Jesus, 'Huh, this must be my greatest of tasks,' And it was, the greatest of loads he would ever carry in his entire life, even though in all he found the man so light to carry.
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Now, meanwhile, in the grand stables of Jerusalem not so far away, stood Marcellus, he had become disturbed by the noise within the heart of the city, hearing the cried for this new king. The horse did not welcome his and so turned up his nose and let out a snort at this disrespect. If only Marcellus knew.
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This story lets us look at ourselves as people and it can allow us to consider the nature and true balance of power and status. Marcellus is a horse a symbol of war, Zed a donkey a symbol of piece.