That Unclean Donkey Is Yourself!
The sermon teaches that the sinful self cannot be presented in sacrifice to God, but is redeemed by the Lamb of God, who stands in our stead to save us from eternal death.
C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes the necessity of redemption through the metaphor of the unclean donkey, which represents humanity's sinful nature. He explains that while the donkey is rightfully God's, it cannot be offered as a sacrifice due to its uncleanliness, necessitating the substitution of a lamb. This illustrates the profound truth that only through the sacrifice of Jesus, the Lamb of God, can we be redeemed from the eternal consequences of our sin. Spurgeon urges listeners to recognize their worth in God's eyes and to express gratitude for the redemption provided through Christ's sacrifice. He highlights the immeasurable love of God, who values our lives enough to pay the ultimate price for our salvation.
Text
"You must redeem the firstborn donkey with a lamb. But if you do not redeem it--you must kill the donkey by breaking its neck!" Exodus 34:20
Every firstborn creature must be the Lord's--but since the donkey was unclean, it could not be presented in sacrifice to Him. What then? Should it be allowed to go free from the universal law? By no means! God admits of no exceptions. The donkey is His due--but He will not accept it; He will not abate the claim--but yet He cannot be pleased with the unclean victim. No way of escape remained, but redemption--the donkey must be saved by the substitution of a lamb in its place; or if not redeemed, it must die!
My soul, here is a lesson for you! That unclean donkey is yourself! You are justly the property of the Lord who made you and preserves you--but you are so sinful that God will not, cannot, accept you! It has come to this--the Lamb of God must stand in your stead--or you must die eternally! Let all the world know of your gratitude to that spotless Lamb who has died for you, and so redeemed you from the fatal curse of the law!
Must it not sometimes have been a question with the Israelite, as to which should die--the donkey or the lamb? Would not the man pause to estimate and compare the values of these animals? Assuredly there was no comparison between the value of a sinful man--and the spotless Lord Jesus! Yet the Lamb dies--and man the donkey is spared! My soul, admire the boundless love of God to you! Vile worms are bought--with the blood of the holy Lamb of God! Dust and ashes are redeemed--with a price far above silver and gold! What a doom would have been mine--had not plenteous redemption been found!
The breaking of the neck of the donkey was but a momentary penalty. But who shall measure the eternal wrath to come--to which no limit can be imagined! Inestimably dear is the glorious Lamb--who has redeemed me from such a doom!
Sermon Outline
- I. The Universal Law of Redemption
- A. Every firstborn creature must be the Lord's
- B. The unclean donkey cannot be presented in sacrifice
- C. Redemption or death is the only option
- II. The Lesson for the Soul
- A. The unclean donkey represents the sinful self
- B. God will not accept the unclean victim
- C. The Lamb of God must stand in our stead
- III. The Boundless Love of God
- A. The Lamb dies for the sinful man
- B. The value of the Lamb far exceeds that of man
- C. Redemption is a price far above silver and gold
Key Quotes
“That unclean donkey is yourself!” — C.H. Spurgeon
“The Lamb of God must stand in your stead--or you must die eternally!” — C.H. Spurgeon
“Vile worms are bought--with the blood of the holy Lamb of God!” — C.H. Spurgeon
Application Points
- Recognize that you are a sinful creature, unworthy of God's acceptance.
- Acknowledge the boundless love of God, who redeems you from eternal death through the Lamb of God.
- Express gratitude to the Lamb of God, who has died for you and redeemed you from the curse of the law.