August 9, 2021: SOAP #4267:  Jeremiah 3-4; John 11

SCRIPTURE:  John (NIV) 11: 32 [Mary] …fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died…. 39 “Take away the stone,” he said. “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.” 40 Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” 41 So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. …43 When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”

OBSERVATION:  The stone laid across the tomb of Lazarus needed to be removed before Jesus called Lazarus to come out.  The stone was removed to let Lazarus out.  But the stone enclosing the tomb of Jesus had to be removed to let us in!  (Matthew 28:6)

APPLICATION:  Stones can set a deadline.  They make me think if only Jesus would have answered my prayer earlier.  The stone stops my faith.  My faith must go behind and beyond the stones I encounter in life.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, stones cannot stop you.  You are already working behind the stone!  Along with my faith, my praise will be on both sides of the stone.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!