Matthew 21
ScriptureMatthew 21:14The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them.Observation - What does it say?Jesus came to the temple and found it defiled. People praying was replaced by people paying. Worship was replaced with work, as people had shifted the temple from being a place devoted to God into a market devoted to making money.Jesus cleansed the temple and drove out those buying and selling. And, once he did, the most amazing things began to take place! People who were blind were led to the temple and Jesus gave them 20/20 vision so they no longer needed someone to guide them. People who were unable to walk were brought to Jesus he healed them on the spot. And, as a result, the children filled the temple courts with the sound of his praises.Understanding - What does it mean?Purity leads to power!When we allow Jesus to cleanse us of impurity, we find ourselves prepared to experience more of his power! When we shift our focus from the pursuits of this world to worship and prayer, the door swings open to make way for God to do miracles through us.Joshua 3:5 Joshua told the people, "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you."The people responded to Joshua's command and the next day the Jordan River was stopped up by the hand of God, so the people were able to cross over into the Promised Land.Life ApplicationAsk God to purify us and cleanse us, so we can experience more of him!Many of us are holding onto the promises of God and wondering when we are going to see their fulfillment. Maybe we think we’re waiting on God’s timing, but is it possible he is actually waiting on us to set ourselves apart?
God, please send your Holy Spirit to bring conviction to our hearts of sin. May we truly set ourselves apart in preparation for what you want to do in and through us. We believe the best is yet to come! We willingly lay down our sin and our obsession with wealth, possessions, reputation, etc. and we choose to seek you in prayer and worship instead, because we know that it will clear the way for us to experience more of your power! Amen.
- Levi Thompson
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