Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 08, 2022: SOAP #4600: Hosea 13-14; Psalm 100, 102; Hebrews 5

SCRIPTURE: Hebrews (NIV) 5:7 During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. 8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered 9 and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him

OBSERVATION:  Although prayer was an often habit of Jesus, it seems to me that verse 6 above is referring to Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane where He was arrested by the Romans.  He had cried out in deep agone, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”  It was so agonizing that His sweat was like “drops of blood!”  (Luke 22)

Did the Father hear Jesus, His Son who was on a mission to do the Father’s will?  Surely He did!  Jesus had reverently submitted himself to the Father.  Could the Father have recalled the mission and delivered His Son from the suffering of the cross?  He was the only “one who could save him…”

APPLICATION: But for the sake of His own faithfulness to His promises to the Old Testament believers…  But for the sake of those created in His image…  But for the sake of the joy set ahead (Hebrews 12:2) for His own Son…  …the Father did not answer this heart-wrenching prayer from His Son. 

Not answering that prayer hurt the Father even more than it hurt His Son. (Just ask any father.) 

PRAYER:  Father, I want to live each day in appreciation for what you and your Son did for me.  I want to be a source of the joy from His sacrifice that Jesus now enjoys.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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