Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
August 17, 2022: SOAP #4640: 2Kings 24; Jeremiah 23, 25; John 19

SCRIPTURE: John (NIV) 19:18 Here they crucified him, and with him two others—one on each side and Jesus in the middle…
28 Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” 29 A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. 30 When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

OBSERVATION:  After eating the Passover supper with His disciples, He took them to the garden where He prayed, and where Judas led those who arrested Him.  From then on, prophecies of His trial and crucifixion were fulfilled by others until verse 28.  “Jesus said, ‘I am thirsty.’”   With those words Jesus started the fulfillment of Psalm 69:21. Up to that time, Jesus had been the passive victim enduring the suffering from what others were doing to Him. It was all within the Father’s will. 

And now, everything was set in motion.  His physical death was moments away.  BUT all scripture must be fulfilled!  Psalm 69:21 must be fulfilled.  (“They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst.”) So Jesus says, “I thirst.”

APPLICATION: As I have progressed through my life as a Christian, there have been things that happened to me.  Sometimes it seemed my life was in the hands of others.  And at other times my life moved as I made decisions. 

But I have given my life to the Lord.  When it was my decision, I have trusted Him to show me how to decide and what directions to take.  When my life was at the mercy of others, in my heart I knew that God had control!   No one was big enough to move me out of God’s will.  I had to let my faith dominate my attitudes.

PRAYER:  Lord, when the choices are mine, I joyfully choose to do your will.  And when I have no choice as to my physical body and its surroundings, I choose to make my heart a place that you enjoy by keeping my attitudes in line with the fruit of the Spirit.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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