February 25, 2018: SOAP #3006:  Numbers 17-18; Psalm 29; Mark 4

Scripture:  Mark (NIV) 4:33 With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. 34 He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.

Observation:   Jesus adjusted His message to His audience.  It was important to Him that they understood what He was saying.  He was speaking their language.  His parables were about every day, ordinary things with which His hearers were very familiar.  They could not deny that He spoke truth.

And, there was always a deeper meaning that He would later explain to his disciples.

Application:   There are many things I see in everyday life that hold deeper truth.  I must allow the Holy Spirit to un-wrap them in my heart.  In prayer, or in meditating on the scriptures, the Holy Spirit brings them back to my thoughts and peels back the natural understanding to reveal a deeper spiritual truth.  It is not unlike removing the outer peeling of an orange or banana to enjoy the fruit within.  I like the beautiful colors of the fruit, but they are nothing compared to enjoying the fruit within.

Prayer:    Heavenly Father, I like it when you take something that happened in my day, or a Bible verse I read in my daily devotions—I like it when you peel back the outer layer and reveal a spiritual truth that I can apply to my daily life.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!