Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 23, 2023: SOAP #4799: Exodus 6-8; Luke 23

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 23: 20 Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again. 21 But they kept shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” 22 For the third time he spoke to them: “Why? What crime has this man committed? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore, I will have him punished and then release him.” 23 But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed. 24 So Pilate decided to grant their demand. 25 He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, the one they asked for, and surrendered Jesus to their will.

OBSERVATION:  Pilate had the power of the Roman government behind him, but he had a crowd of Jews led by the priests before him.  In his heart, he knew that Jesus was innocent.  “But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he [Jesus] be crucified, and their shouts prevailed.” 

APPLICATION: Surely most of us have faced similar situations.  The shouts of the world sway us to ignore the still small voice of our conscience and we submit to temptation. 

God knew we would have this problem, so He gives us the Bible.  By reading we strengthen our understanding of what pleases the Lord.  

God knew we would have this problem, so He gave us the Holy Spirit.  The indwelling Holy Spirit reinforces the voice of our conscience.  He makes it hard to ignore.  The Holy Spirit strengthens our will enabling us to say “no” to temptation. 

PRAYER:   Holy Spirit, fill me as you did the early church on the day of Pentecost.  (Acts 2:4)  Be my teacher as I read the Bible. (John 14:26)   Sew the truth of the Word into the linings of my heart and mind so that there is no logical way to accept what the noisy, worldly crowd is selling. Make me like Jesus. Amen.

Pastor Leon
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