Pastor Leon’s SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer

November 23: Matt 14-16

Scripture: Matthew (NIV) 14:15 As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”
16 Jesus replied, “The do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”

Observation: When Jesus said they do not need to go away, he did not say that they could not go away. Maybe some had already evaluated the situation, seeing the time of day, the size of the crowd, and the eating possibilities available, or not available. Perhaps some left early in order to be home in time for "dinner." Maybe some had left, but they would not have needed to. There was nothing wrong with their evaluation of the visible facts. They had not lost their mind. They could see what was obvious. They could be compared to the baseball fans who leave disappointed in the 8th inning because their team is losing, only to hear on the radio the roar of the crowd as their team wins in the bottom of the ninth, or to hear about it on the news the next day. They could have been there! What a blessing for those who stayed!

Application: What was about to happen did not depend on the disciples. It was because of His presence. It was at His direction. Everyone was fed because of Him! The disciples did what Jesus first commanded; they fed the people. But first they took what was available and gave it to him. Only when He had placed it back in their hands could they do as he directed.

Prayer: Lord, check me when I want to give up too soon. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!