Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
August 09, 2023: SOAP #4997: Jeremiah 3-4; John 11

SCRIPTURE:  John (NIV) 11: 32 [Mary]  … fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died … . 39 “Take away the stone,” he said. “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.” 40 Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” 41 So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me.  … 43 When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”

OBSERVATION:  The stone laid across the tomb of Lazarus needed to be removed before Jesus called Lazarus to come out.  Lazarus was returning to life as he had known it.  He would later die and be buried.  The stone was removed to let Lazarus out.  Those gathered were told to “take off the grave clothes and let him go!”

Note the difference with the stone enclosing the tomb of Jesus!  He was already out!  The stone had to be removed to let us in!  (Matthew 28:6) The ladies were invited to “Come and see the place where he laid.” 

APPLICATION:  Stones can set a deadline.  They make me think if only Jesus would have answered my prayer earlier.  The stone stops my faith.  My faith must go behind and beyond the stones I encounter in life.

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, stones cannot stop you.  You are already working behind the stone!  Along with my faith, I want my praise to be on both sides of the stones in my life!  Amen

Pastor Leon
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