Word of mouth…

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
August 10, 2025: SOAP #5729: Jeremiah 5-6; John 12

SCRIPTURE:  John (NIV) 12:12 The next day the great crowd that had come for the Feast heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem….
17 Now the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word. 18 Many people, because they had heard that he had given this miraculous sign, went out to meet him.

OBSERVATION:   Jesus had just raised Lazarus from the dead.  Lazarus had been dead for four days!  It was a notable miracle.  The people who had witnessed the miracle could not, or would not stop talking about it!  The more they spoke about it, the more people wanted to come and see Jesus for themselves. 

APPLICATION:  There is no better advertising than word of mouth; people telling people what Jesus has done for them.  Such testimony carries more than the truth, it also carries the conviction that comes with personal involvement!  “This is what happened to me!”  or “I was there when this happened!” 

Through the SOAP ministry, and what God has done in another community, a second community heard and requested the SOAPs and thousands have accepted Jesus, and then a third community heard and also requested the SOAPs and many accepted Jesus, and a fourth…and a fifth…and now another larger town has asked questions about the SOAPs.   

What has Jesus done for you?  Who have you told? 

PRAYER:   Holy Spirit, may the joy you have caused to fill my heart spill out of my mouth an may others hear of what you have done for me!   Amen                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
On Facebook:  Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon
Also on:  soapsbyleon.wordpress.com

For my sake

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
August 09, 2025: SOAP #5728: Jeremiah 3-4; John 11

SCRIPTURE:  John (NIV) 11:11 After he had said this, he went on to tell them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.” 12 His disciples replied, “Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.” 13 Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep. 14 So then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, 15 and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.”

OBSERVATION:  Jesus was glad that Lazarus was dead!  Yet only 20 verses later (verse 35) we read that Jesus wept.  And the Jews who witnessed His grief commented on His love for Lazarus.   

What was it that something so painful for Jesus would make Him glad?   Jesus said, “…for your sake I am glad.”  The disciples were about to learn that life does not stop at the grave, and neither should their faith!  

The disciples need to see the bigger picture!  He had told them that He Himself would be killed but on the third day He would be raised back to life.  (Matthew 16:21, Mark 8:31, 9:31, Luke 9:22)  I wonder if they considered Lazarus during the dark days that Jesus was in the grave. 

APPLICATIOAN:  Tuesday Sharon and I will head to Hawaii to a funeral of a dear friend, Pastor Sualua Tauala.  But I go knowing I will see him again as surely as Mary and Martha saw their brother again.  The disciples would see that in Jesus they had a faith that reaches beyond the grave!   

I wonder how many times Jesus has said, “Leon is going through a tough time, and for his sake, I am glad.  He will need this lesson for later.” 

PRAYER:   Lord, I am learning to trust you in the hard times.  I know you see the big picture.  My faith reaches past the grave.  My faith will carry me through death into Your throne room.  What a day–glorious day that will be!   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
On Facebook:  Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon
Also on:  soapsbyleon.wordpress.com