Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
November 01, 2023: SOAP #5081: Psalm 121; Mark 9-10

(Repeated for my sake. God’s assurance that I did something right today.)

SCRIPTURE:  Mark (NIV) 10:13 People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” 16 And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.

OBSERVATION:  Consider the changes in perspectives of those involved:
– The children from being shunned to becoming the center of attention.
– The parents from having their most prized possession disregarded to having it greatly valued.  Jesus took time for their child!!! 
– The disciples from trying to protect Jesus from unnecessary distractions to learning his priority. They learned His value of children! 
-Jesus from seeing what he had created in his image being kept from him to not just touching them as requested but giving them a hug.

APPLICATION:  As a school bus driver, I know that children do not have my wisdom and understanding of driving a bus in traffic.  At times I may need to ignore them to safely drive, but I also need to make sure that they know they are valuable.  In fact, they are the reason for the bus and for my job as a driver!  That should be my perspective.  My job was not created to give me an opportunity to earn money.  It was created to provide safe transportation for valuable lives to and from school.  God did not tell me to drive a bus to earn money, but because He loves children; he wants me to love them too. He wants my hands to be an extension of His!   He wants my words to be His. 

PRAYER:  Lord, help me to see things as you see them — especially children.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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