The reading for Tuesday is Matthew 27: 27-66.
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:
Scripture: Matthew 27: 54
When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”
Observation:
After witnessing all that happened at Jesus’ death, those guarding him began to realize his true identity.
Application:
I know how I feel when I’ve realized I have made a big mistake and learned I was wrong… but I cannot imagine what these soldiers must have been thinking as they realized that this man they were guarding really was who He had said that He was.. and that He was the son of God.
Gulp.
Can you imagine what it must have been like to witness the tearing of the curtain, the earthquake and the rising of the dead as mentioned in chapters 51-53?
These events just further build the undeniable case of who Jesus really is. How could anybody be there, witness that and then question?
Prayer:
Lord, you have given us so many clear signs as to Jesus’ identity. Of course, they are all so much easier to identify when looking from a distance, reading the Bible and seeing event after event, prophecy after prophecy.
Thank you for spelling things out for us in such an undeniable way and giving us the ability to study those events over and over and continue to be amazed.
Help each of us who follow you to share your story in an undeniable way, too. Sometimes I stumble and get frustrated when I want to share your story. I don’t want to do that. I want to be able to share about you with confidence, logic and love every time I am asked. Please guide me to do a better job of that.
Thank you, Lord, for loving me and each of us. And thank you for giving us your story and truth to share.
What about you? What did you see and hear in your reading of Matthew 27:27-66? 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