December 24, 2021: SOAP #4404:  John 19-21

SCRIPTURE:  John (NIV) 20:1 Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. 2 So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”

OBSERVATION: No, Mary, your first impression was wrong!   What you saw as the worst possible situation, in reality was the greatest possible situation.  In truth, it was far better than you could have imagined! 

Circumstances said the dead body of Jesus had been stolen; reality was that Jesus had just defeated the grave!!! 

APPLICATION:  I wish I could say I have never jumped to a wrong first impression, or that I will never do it again.  But …   I am doing better.  I am learning to wait and trust the Lord.  I am learning to remember what He has said to me.  He is worth waiting for!!! 

There are times when I evaluate the circumstances according to my own limited understanding.  Then I set a course of action depending on my own limited resources.  Often in taking such action, I miss letting God use His unlimited resources to meet my need.  I miss first best and settle for second best.  People see what I can do rather than what God can do. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, remind me.  Slow me down.  Help me not be in such a hurry that I do not wait for your answer.   Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!