November 23, 2019: SOAP #3642:  Matthew 14-16

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 14:1 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus, 2 and he said to his attendants, “This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”

Observation:  Herod’s impressions of Jesus were only from word of mouth.  He had no personal experience with Jesus.  Hearing about Jesus raised feelings of conviction over his past sins.  I am sure he felt regret that he had been tricked into having John the Baptist put to death.

What Herod needed was a personal meeting with Jesus where the burden of sin could be lifted by forgiveness.

Application:   What a sad state of affairs one can see in the US congress where people want to find facts but can only find witness who heard something, or overheard a conversation that may have been about the specific subject, or presumed, or put several things together and jumped to what they thought was a logical conclusion.  No one has any personal, firsthand knowledge.

But much worse than that is when people only know about Jesus from what other people say.  They have no personal, firsthand knowledge.  They do not know Him; only know about Him.

The following prayer can be the start of a wonderful personal relationship, not just knowing about Him, but knowing Him!

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, thank you for loving me and sending your Son, Jesus, to die in payment for my sins.  Jesus, I thank you for dying in my place and rising back to life.  Forgive my sins.  By your Spirit, come and live in my life.  I acknowledge you as the Lord of my life. Thank you for loving and forgiving me. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!