Miracles In Our Day

Miracles in Our Day

By Greg Johnson

April 1, 2007

http://www.LovingGodFellowship.org

The first Sunday prior to resurrection Sunday is referred to as Palm Sunday. As Jesus came into Jerusalem riding a donkey people laid down palm branches along the way. On that first Palm Sunday, Jesus performed miracles.

Do you need a miracle in your life today? Turn to Jesus. We can learn today from the actions of Jesus on the first Sunday prior to the resurrection; the first Palm Sunday.

JESUS GIVES FOLLOWERS SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS.

God’s Word says (Matthew 21:1-3 NIV) "As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, {2} saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. {3} If anyone says anything to you, tell him that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.""

Jesus tells these two followers where to go, what to find and what to say. He gave them specific instructions. Please note with me that Jesus’ specific instructions are based on the Word of God. (Matthew 21:4-5 NIV) "This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: {5} "Say to the Daughter of Zion, ’See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’"" Jesus here quotes Zechariah. (Zechariah 9:9 NIV) "Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey."

God gives His followers today specific instructions based on the Word of God and they are quick to obey everything He gives them because they love Him and desire to serve Him.

JESUS RECEIVES PRAISE.

God’s Word goes on to say (Matthew 21:6-9 NIV) "The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. {7} They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them. {8} A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. {9} The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Hosanna in the highest!""

Jesus receives praise from the crowd. He came to them humble and riding a donkey and they exalt Him with praise.

We come together as a fellowship this Sunday and every Sunday to hear specific instructions from Jesus through God’s Word. We come together to exalt Him in praise. He is the focus of all of our attention. It’s all about Jesus! But, it extends far beyond are Sunday corporate meetings and goes into are daily personal lives. We live for Jesus and we live our lives in a manner that will be exalting to Him. His praise flows from our hearts and is always on our lips because of what He has done for us and in us.

JESUS CLEANSES THE TEMPLE AND TURNS IT INTO A HOUSE OF PRAYER.

Notice what Jesus does next. (Matthew 21:10-13 NIV) "When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, "Who is this?" {11} The crowds answered, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee." {12} Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. {13} "It is written," he said to them, "’My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it a ’den of robbers.’""

The temple had become everything but what God had intended it to be. The focus was more on making money and supplying the needs of the flesh instead of on God. Jesus drove it all out and turned it back into a house of prayer.

The Apostle Paul taught that under the New Covenant, our body is God’s Temple. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NIV) "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; {20} you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body."

Today, Jesus cleanses us and sanctifies us. He purges us of selfish desires and materialism. He turns us into praying people. Jesus walked this earth as our example. He was not selfish. He was not materialistic. He devoted Himself fully to God and He prayed. We are to follow Him (1 Peter 2:21).

JESUS WORKS MIRACLES.

Notice what happens after Jesus cleanses the temple and turns it back into a house of prayer. (Matthew 21:14 NIV) "The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them."