The reading for Monday is Matthew 27: 1-26.
We have added new step, so if you haven’t been using a notebook or recording your thoughts somewhere, please consider starting that now. When you record your thoughts, you will begin to hear more and you can reflect back on what you have heard.
Okay, now that your notebook or computer or whatever is ready, let’s move on…
When it is time to read, please start first by praying and thanking God for His many blessings. Be specific.
Record your thank you’s on paper or on the computer.
Next present your requests to Him. Ask Him for whatever you want and need. As you do, record your requests and questions on paper or on the computer.
Third, ask Him to guide you in your reading, so that you will hear his message for you today.
After you read, record your SOAP observations and then listen for three minutes. Set a timer and just listen to what he might be sharing. Don’t ask. Don’t thank. Just listen. (You can pray more after you listen, if you like.)
Here is what I heard in the reading:
Don’t argue, just do what is instructed
Scripture: Matthew 27: 14
But Jesus made no reply, not even a single charge– to the great amazement of the governor.
Observation:
Jesus, after responding once to the accusations, did not reply again, even though his life hung in the balance.
Application:
Jesus knew what has to come. He knew it had to come. Arguing about it wasn’t going to change things. He had already answered the charges once, arguing was not going to make a difference, no matter how much truth He spoke. He knew what was at stake and He knew He had to do what was expected of him.
This made me think about the times I argue, even with myself, and want to get out of things. Or the times I grumble, even silently.
‘Do all things without grumbling’ comes to mind.
Jesus knew what was to come. He didn’t grumble. He was noble and diligent and did what he was sent to do, even though it was excruciating.
And I grumble about little things like completing my house chores. Hmmm.
Perhaps I can remember this the next time I don’t want to do what I should, and then just get on with it instead. Or perhaps I can remember this the next time I feel that pull to share the gospel and hesitate.
He didn’t hold back, and he had so much more pain to go through than I. He didn’t argue about what was to be done, He just did it.
Prayer:
Lord, forgive me when I argue and when I hold back from just doing the things you guide me to do.
Help me to discern more clearly your instructions and then help me to lunge forward and follow them without argument or hesitation. You know what is right. You know the master plan. Guide me in following it as I can.
And thank you so much for the discipline and love of your son, Jesus Christ, who looked into the face of horrible pain and took it all for me without argument.
What about you? What did you see and hear in your reading of Matthew 27: 1-26? Please share with the rest of us, if you are comfortable doing so. Feel free to leave your thoughts, or a link to post with your thoughts, in the comments. If you do link a post, please include a link in your own post back to this post so your readers can see what others had to say, as well, and potentially join us.
Didn’t start reading or Blogging Through the Gospels with us? That’s okay, join in anytime. Each Sunday evening I post the reading schedule for the week ahead and each evening I post the next day’s reading assignment and devotional. Feel free to jump in where we are anytime and blog or journal along using the SOAP format. Feel free to share your thoughts on Twitter using the #Gospels hashtag, too.
If you would be interested in sharing your own SOAP observations on MomsToolbox as a guest SOAP’er, please send me an email using the contact button on the top right. I’ll be in touch soon to discuss the details.
Leave a Reply