May 10, 2021: SOAP #4176:  2Samuel 18; Psalm 56; Matthew 27

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 27:17 So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” 18 For he knew it was out of envy that they had handed Jesus over to him. 19 While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.”

OBSERVATION:  In the verses that follow this passage we read of the “governor’s soldiers” mocking Jesus. (26-31) Those “passing by hurled insults at Jesus. (39)  The “chief priests, teachers, and elders” mocked Jesus (41-43) And the robbers crucified with him “heaped insults” on Jesus. (44)  It is easy to get caught up in the emotion of a crowd and leave all reason behind.

But not Pilate!  And not the centurion responsible to carry out the crucifixion nor the Roman soldiers with him.  (54)  They were not so emotionally affected by getting rid of Jesus that they could not see truth.  The Holy Spirit spoke to Pilate through his wife!

APPLICATION: God gave me the Holy Spirit to live inside me and guide my thinking.  Sometimes His voice is not as loud as the voice of the crowd, but He is definitely present to guard me from serious mis-steps.  He may speak through my conscience; He may speak through a heavy feeling; He may speak through a brother or sister in Christ; like Pilate, He may speak to me through a family member; He may speak through a pastor or Bible teacher; He may speak through Bible reading; He may remind me of something in my past. 

PRAYER: Holy Spirit, it is to my peril to ignore your speaking into my life. I know you are working for my good.  You are making me into the image of Jesus.  You are developing me to be attractive to my Heavenly Father.  Train me not to miss your message, no matter how it comes. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!