As Jesus and the disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to the town of Bethphage on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of them on 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 what you are doing, just say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will immediately let you take them.” This took place to fulfill the prophecy that said, “Tell the people of Jerusalem, ‘Look, your King is coming to you. He is humble, riding on a donkey—riding on a donkey’s colt.’” The two disciples did as Jesus commanded. They brought the donkey and the colt to him and threw their garments over the colt, and he sat on it. Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting, “Praise God for the Son of David! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Praise God in highest heaven!” The entire city of Jerusalem was in an uproar as he entered. “Who is this?” they asked. And the crowds replied, “It’s Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.” MATTHEW 21:1-11 NLT
I miss out on the miracle of Jesus…
When I expect God to use his power in a way that makes sense to me
“Look, your King is coming to you. He is humble, riding on a donkey—riding on a donkey’s colt.” MATTHEW 21:5 NLT
What sorrow awaits those who argue with their Creator. Does a clay pot argue with its maker? Does the clay dispute with the one who shapes it, saying, “Stop, you’re doing it wrong!” Does the pot exclaim, “How clumsy can you be?” ISAIAH 45:9 NLT
When I expect God to deliver me according to my timing
Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. MATTHEW 21:8 NLT
My times are in your hands; deliver me from the hands of my enemies, from those who pursue me. PSALM 31:15 NIV
What God does in you as you wait is often more important than what you’re waiting for
When I let unmet expectations affect my trust in God
The entire city of Jerusalem was in an uproar as he entered. “Who is this?” they asked. And the crowds replied, “It’s Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.” MATTHEW 21:10-11 NLT
Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face. JOB 13:15 NIV
Can we trust in the same God who has disappointed us?
The creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children, including the new bodies he has promised us. ROMANS 8.21-23 NLT
My Notes
Personal Reflection Guide
Find a quiet place where you can be free of distractions; take a few slow, deep breaths, inviting God into this time. Prayerfully consider: what word would you use to fill in the blank in the following sentence? “I admit that I am powerless over _______, and because of this, my life has become unmanageable.” Bring this word before God, asking Him to redeem this place in your life, bringing His power over this area. Next, ask God if there are any ways He has revealed Himself in your life that you’ve been missing. Are there any expectations you’ve been carrying that God wants to disrupt for the sake of you seeing Him and His work more clearly? Are there any areas where you have been waiting on God, perhaps for an uncomfortably long time? Ask God to reveal Himself in these areas, paying attention to whatever work He has been doing in you as you have waited on Him. Invite God to continue that work in you; surrender any posture or expectations that you might have, inviting God to instead make His way into your life in whatever way He sees best. Close your time by thanking God that He cares enough about you to lovingly disrupt your expectations of Him for the betterment of your own journey with Him. Thank Him for this time together, and write down any reflections in the space below, sharing with your community group if you feel comfortable.
Discussion Questions
Where are you looking for a miracle?
Get the most out of this series by reading and discussing Pastor Matt’s new book ‘Every Day a Miracle.’
Here’s how it works: Read two chapters per week and discuss the questions at the end of each chapter during your group time.
Go to sandalschurch.com/miracles to grab a copy of the book. Copies will also be available at every Sandals Church campus. If you are in a community group, your group leader can get copies of the book for you.
If you are not in a group, who are a few people you could invite to read and discuss the book together? Anyone willing to start a group can get a free copy of the book while supplies last.
- Gather your friends, discuss the book, and experience Miracles together.
