What Can We Learn From Animals

Lesson #2 Typology (Matthew 21:1-11) 

In this lesson we are continuing the series on what can we learn from animal and will be studying a particular animal as a type of a lost person. The passage deals with Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. This is where he rode into Jerusalem on the colt the foal of an ass and was cheered by the people as King.

This event had been prophesied in the Old Testament and had to take place (Genesis 49:11 ; Zechariah 9:9). But have you ever wondered why God chose a colt the foal of an ass to have his son ride into Jerusalem on. When we look at the passages in both Mark and Matthew that show us this event we see some amazing typology concerning an ass in the word of God being a type of a lost person.

The typology:

1)  Man is born as a wild ass’s colt (Job 11:12)

• A wild ass’s colt is just that it is wild and has to be broken. To break one you must ride him.
• This pictures a lost man because we are born sinners. We get this from Adam (Romans 5:12). Therefore we must be saved and this can be likened unto breaking a wild ass’s colt.

2)  The firstling of a ass must be redeemed by a lamb (Exodus 13:13)

• Just as mankind had to be redeemed by the Lamb of God, God required that the firstling of an ass be redeemed by a lamb.
• Also note that if the firstling of an ass was not redeemed it was to have its neck broken. One of the ways that the neck of man gets broken is to be hanged on a tree. The bible says cursed is the man that hangeth on a tree (Galatians 3:13). When Jesus died for our sins he was crucified and hung on a cross. Therefore in redeeming us he became a curse for us.

3)  The colt was tied (Mark 11:4)

• This is a picture of a lost person being bound in their sin before salvation (Romans 6:16-20).

4)  The colt needed to be loosed, but this brought opposition (Mark 11:5)

• The purpose of the colt being loosed was so that he could be brought to Jesus (Mark 11:6). This will always bring opposition.
• Any time you try to get someone to Jesus there will always be opposition from someone or something especially the devil.

5)  Note he is by a door where two ways met (Mark 11:4)

• When it comes to getting saved Jesus is the door (John10:29).
• The interesting thing here is that he is also in a place where two ways meet. This speaks of the decision that all people must make when they come face to face with Jesus. Will you go his way and accept his salvation or will you go your own way and reject his salvation.

6)  The Lord had need of the colt (Matthew 21:3)

• Jesus can use any person for his work after they are saved (Acts 9:5)

7)  The colt was given new clothes (Mark 11:7)

• A lost person is said to be clothed with filthy rags in Isaiah 61:10, but as a result of salvation we are clothed with the righteousness of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21).

8)  The Lord Jesus rode him into Jerusalem (Mark 11:7)

• From this we see that Jesus was in control of him, the ass was broken. This pictures us after salvation. We should let the Lord Jesus have control of our lives (Romans 12:1-2).

From the typology we see that every lost man must come to Jesus and be broken if he is going to be of use to the King.

What Can We Learn From Animals

Lesson #2 Typology (Matthew 21:11) : Handout

1) What is the animal to be studied from this passage?

2)  Why is this event important in regards to the word of God?

3)  What can we learn from the animal in this lesson?

4)  How is the animal in this lesson a type of a lost man?

5)  What is a good spiritual lesson from this animal for us to learn?