Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 26, 2023: SOAP #4892: 2Samuel 1; Psalm 140; Matthew 13

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 13:57 And they took offence at him. But Jesus said to them, “Only in his hometown and in his own house is a prophet without honor.” 58 And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.

OBSERVATION:  The people in Jesus’ hometown were familiar with his childhood.  (verses 54-56) They knew that Jospeh was a carpenter.  They knew His mother, Mary.  His family was just like their family.  They knew his brothers by name, and his sisters.  They had played with Jesus in the streets.  They had watched him grow.  Nothing special came out of their family, so how could they believe that Jesus was special. 

They were amazed at his teaching, but their “lack of faith” limited the miracles he did.  Note it does NOT say that he did no miracles, but that He did not do many. 

APPLICATION:  Often Jesus commented that the person’s faith was key in their healing.  (Mtt 9:2, 22; 15:28 a few of many.)  In these verses it is the lack of faith that is noted. 

Faith is like sucking on a straw.  It is like drinking from a cool, refreshing glass of water through a straw.  The sucking  will not quench my thirst, but it will draw the refreshing liquid into my mouth. 

My faith puts a demand on God’s ability.  It draws the reality of His ability to my need.  I know that faith is only as good as its foundation; in this case it is only as good as the liquid into which the straw is inserted.

PRAYER:   Heavenly Father, may the end of my straw always be immersed deeply in you and Your Word!    Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
On Facebook:  Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon