William H. Willimon, retired bishop in the United Methodist Church, Professor of the Practice of Christian Ministry, and one of America’s best preachers preaches a sermon called, “On Donkey Detail,” from Mark 11:1-11.

“Though Mark does not explicitly say which two disciples went and got the animal, at least one scholar suspects that it may have been James and John. Just a few hours before, these were the two disciples who had said to Jesus, ‘Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory,’ and now here they are on donkey detail. Some glory!” And yet, this is what must be done before Jesus can make his entry.

Will Willimon is the author of Fear of the Other and Who Lynched Willie Earle? Preaching to Confront Racism, both from Abingdon Press. He also publishes Pulpit Resource, a weekly preaching resource available through Ministry Matters. This sermon is from A Sermon for Every Sunday, a series of lectionary-based video sermons designed for use in worship, Bible study, small groups, Sunday school classes or for individual use.