The Colonel's Donkey [Brochure]

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A true story which illustrates God’s salvation

Many years ago, Colonel Charles Beckwith retired from the British army and moved to southeastern France to serve the Lord by helping the humble believers there and by preaching the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

One day, he met a poor man named Botolon who was well known in that part of the country. Botolon earned his living by delivering coal and wood with the help of his donkey—which was also well known as “Botolon’s Donkey.” But, this day, Botolon was not with his donkey, and he was weeping.

“What is the matter my friend?” asked Colonel Beckwith.

“Ah sir,” replied the poor man, “they are going to take away my donkey, and without it my family and I must die of hunger.” Then he told how a man to whom he owed money had claimed his donkey, intending to put it in his own stable.

The Colonel was touched with his story and asked Botolon how much he owed. When told the amount, he said, “Well, my friend, would you be willing to sell your donkey to me, and then you can pay the man to whom you owe the debt with the money I give you for your donkey?

Botolon was willing, and he brought the donkey to Colonel Beckwith. After receiving the money, he turned away with a heavy heart; but then the Colonel said,

“Oh, you may take the donkey with you for the present. You may use it until I claim it. However, you must understand that from now on the donkey is mine and that I cannot allow anyone else to claim it for any reason whatsoever.”

The surprise and joy of poor Botolon can be better imagined than described. How happy he was! As for the donkey itself, this incident made it quite famous in the area. From then on, instead of being called “Botolon’s Donkey,” it was known as “The Colonel’s Donkey.

This incident provides us with a wonderful illustration of what God has done for those who trust the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior. We were lost and doomed, under the power of Satan because of sin. But Jesus died on the cross; and there He shed his blood to pay the debt of sin and to redeem (buy back) our lives and our souls to God and for God. The price has been paid, and the payment is final. Just as the donkey was no longer Botolon’s and therefore not his to lose, so the eternal life which a believer receives as a gift from God cannot be taken from him—it is not his to lose. Jesus said, “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.” John 10:28-29.

God’s Word also tells us, “And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.” 2 Corinthians 5:15. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17. “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7. The debt is gone, and the uncertainty and fear and sadness are gone with it. The donkey which had been Botolon’s got a new and guaranteed future and a new and unchangeable identity. So it is with those who are “in Christ.” God’s grace and His salvation are not less than Colonel Beckwith’s kind provision for Botolon and his donkey.

The security of Botolon and the donkey depended on the Colonel’s work and the Colonel’s word—not on Botolon or the donkey. Jesus said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” John 5:24 That passing is only one way—“from death to life,” and it only happens once.

After the Colonel had bought the donkey and given it back to Botolon, Botolon and the donkey had a new responsibility—to work well and act well for sake of the Colonel who had been so kind—not for the sake of the Colonel’s favor but for the sake of his reputation.

Are you known as belonging to Christ? Whose are you? To whom do others think you belong? “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” 2 Timothy 2:19.

JAK