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

January 5: Genesis 12-14; Luke 5

Scripture: Luke (NIV) 5:20 When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.” …24 … [Jesus to paralytic] ”I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” 25 Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God.

Observation: Some friends carried a paralytic on a mat to Jesus. They knew Jesus had the answer to their friend’s need. When they were unable to get to Jesus, who was inside a house crowded with people, they carried their friend to the roof, took up the tiles and lowered their friend in front of Jesus. “When Jesus saw their faith…” Many times Jesus responded to the faith of those needing his help, but here he responded to the faith of those who carried their friend. True faith always has action. What they did made their faith seeable. James 2:20 says faith without works is dead. Here we see that faith with works is seeable!

Application: It is good for me to consider that my faith could be the key to a friend’s salvation and/or healing. Like the friends of the paralytic, my priority should be to get my friends to Jesus. My faith should be seeable.

Prayer: Lord, help me bring my friends to you. May you see my faith and respond in meeting their need. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!