In what ways can we prepare our hearts for Jesus' presence like Jerusalem? Stirred Hearts in Jerusalem Matthew 21:10: “When Jesus had entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, ‘Who is this?’” - The literal commotion signals genuine expectation. - Our aim is to let the same holy “stirring” happen within us before He enters. Clearing the Streets: Repentance and Purity - Hebrews 12:1 urges us to “lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily entangles.” - 2 Corinthians 7:1 calls us to “perfect holiness.” - Practical steps: • Confess known sin immediately. • Remove media, habits, or relationships that crowd His pathway. • Replace hidden compromise with transparent obedience. Spreading Garments: Total Surrender - Matthew 21:8 records crowds laying cloaks on the road before Jesus. - Romans 12:1 reminds us to “present your bodies as a living sacrifice.” - Ways to “spread the garment”: • Yield plans, preferences, and timelines. • Offer daily decisions to His lordship. • Treat every resource—time, money, talents—as already His. Raising the Hosanna: Continual Praise - Matthew 21:9; Psalm 118:25-26—“Hosanna… Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD.” - Hebrews 13:15: “continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise.” - Cultivate praise by: • Speaking Scripture aloud. • Singing throughout the day, not just during services. • Thanking Him before answers arrive. Recognizing the King’s Identity - Zechariah 9:9 foretold a gentle King on a donkey; the prophecy became historical fact in Matthew 21. - John 1:29 proclaims, “Behold, the Lamb of God.” - Prepare by: • Studying His names—Shepherd, Redeemer, Lord. • Affirming aloud what each name means for everyday life. • Guarding against any view of Jesus that minimizes His deity or authority. Entering the Gates of Obedience - John 14:21: love for Jesus is proved by keeping His commands. - James 1:22: “Be doers of the word.” - Immediate obedience habits: • Act on Scripture the same day you read it. • Follow Spirit-prompted generosity without delay. • Practice forgiveness at first impulse, not after long deliberation. Sustaining Expectancy - Matthew 24:42: “Keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.” - Titus 2:13 speaks of “waiting for the blessed hope.” - Maintain watchfulness by: • Beginning the day anticipating divine appointments. • Ending the day reviewing where you noticed His presence. • Keeping short accounts—quick to repent, quick to rejoice. Fruit That Remains - John 15:5: “He who abides in Me and I in him bears much fruit.” - Galatians 5:22-23 lists the Spirit’s fruit. - Evaluate readiness: • Is love more evident than last year? • Do peace and patience mark stressful moments? • Is self-control growing in hidden areas? Living the Stirred Life - Like Jerusalem, let our inner “city” sense His arrival before He visibly appears. - Clearing, surrendering, praising, recognizing, obeying, expecting, and bearing fruit—all prepare His chosen dwelling place: the believing heart. |
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