16x20 Acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas.

Title: Warhorse
Size: 16x20
Medium: Acrylic
Circa: 2020

A few years ago I penned a quick sketch of a seahorse securing himself to an anchor. I had the inclination there was something extra special about this one as the title "Warhorse" bubbled up in my heart. I also knew it wasn't yet time to paint it. So, I did what I've done many times before. I set the sketch aside and quickly moved on to pen the next one in my head. I never spoke about the name of the piece to anyone, including Heather. Three years later my bride penned a short devotion yesterday that God placed on her heart for Palm Sunday. As I sat across the table listening to her read the story to me, I knew the time to paint my version of "Warhorse" had finally come. Grabbing a blank canvas, I pull out the old sketch and painted my newest piece.

Heather and I both agree that our two versions of "Warhorse" are better together. Kinda like us! -- G

"Warhorse"

Matthew 21 - As Jesus and his disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to the town of Bethphage on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of them ahead, “Go into the village over there,” he said “As soon as you enter it, you will see a donkey tied there, with its colt beside it. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone asks you what you are doing, just say, 'The Lord needs them,’ and he will immediately let you take them.”

Just as Jesus said, the donkey was just where he said it would be. He then made his way through the crowded streets. One by one palm branches were laid down as he passed by on a donkey. The people who were shouting “ Hosanna!" meaning “Please save!” They would soon receive exactly what they asked.

It’s hard for me to believe we are still celebrating Jesus’ journey from the Mount of Olives into Jerusalem 2000 years later on Palm Sunday.

What's even more amazing to me is Jesus' journey fulfilled the prophecy in the Old Testament book of Zechariah, written over 500 years before Christ's birth -

1. 9:9 - Rejoice, oh people of zion! ( *Zion is another name for the City of David or better known to many as Jerusalem.) Shout in triumph, oh people of Jerusalem. Look, your king is coming to you, he is righteous and victorious, yet he is humble, riding on a donkey — riding on a donkey’s colt.

It may seem strange that Jesus chose a donkey, but it was intentional.

Did you know that when a king would enter into a foreign land, what he rode in on told the people his intentions? That’s right! If a king rode in on a horse it meant that he was there for war. However, if a king rode in on a donkey it meant he was there for peace. Reading this historical fact during my recent study time, I immediately thought of how the same King — Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ — rode into Jerusalem with humility on a donkey to die for the sins of all of humanity. He wasn't there for war, but for peace with his people.

I also remembered that ride was not his last.

Revelation 19:11-16 Then I saw heaven opened and here came a white horse! The one riding it was called “Faithful” and “True,” and with justice he judges and goes to war.  His eyes are like a fiery flame and there are many diadem crowns on his head. He has a name written that no one knows except himself. He is dressed in clothing dipped in blood, and he is called the Word of God.  The armies that are in heaven, dressed in white, clean, fine linen, were following him on white horses. From his mouth extends a sharp sword, so that with it he can strike the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod, and he stomps the winepress of the furious wrath of God, the All-Powerful.  He has a name written on his clothing and on his thigh: “King of kings and Lord of lords.”

Christ Jesus will ride again! Next time he will not be riding in peace on a donkey. No, the Son of God comes for war on a white horse to finally defeat the enemy once and for all and bring those home who have called out to him, “Please Save!” 

Penned in His Presence,

Heather Lamp