November 4, 2015:  SOAP #2162:

Scripture:  Mark (NIV) 15:15 Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.

Observation:  From the various scriptures within the context of the above verse, it is easy to understand that Pilate knew Jesus was innocent and clearly not deserving of death.  But Pilate had a problem.  He was more concerned about pleasing people than about pleasing justice.

Application:  The desire to please others can cause me to do or not do many things.  I need to carefully consider who I am pleasing.  The thought process of both big and small decisions should include who am I pleasing, and who will be displeased.  People will tell me that I should make my own decisions and not care about what others think, but to ignore what God thinks is to miss the greatest source of wisdom available to me.  I must remember that I was created to love God and to honor him with my choices.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, “Who am I pleasing?” bring this question to my mind many times throughout today.     Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!