S. O. A. P.

Here’s Your 90 second AM Devotional!

S-cripture:

Luke 19:48

Yet they could not find any way to do it, because all the people hung on his words.

O-bservation:

The scripture tells us that the more Jesus taught at the temple, the more the religious establishment in Jerusalem sought to kill Him. But they couldn’t because the people were literally hanging on the words of Jesus.

A-pplication:

If it worked for a period of time, it could have worked for an entire lifetime. That’s how great a communicator God in the flesh was. However, “There Was Something More Important” that Jesus had been sent to do. Jesus had been sent to the world in the flesh, from heaven, to teach and live what it meant to be a true God-follower. He did that in a very informative and perfect way. Yet His ultimate purpose was to die a sacrificial death, as God’s perfect lamb, to redeem humankind from sin. It was more “feel good” for Him, I’m sure, to mesmerize people with His teaching so that local authorities could not kill Him, but His main goal was to DIE! Before you and I ever become impressed with the gifts God has given us, may we never forget the real purpose we have. Our greater purpose is to “take up our own cross and follow Jesus,” no matter the cost. Jesus knew in the midst of the applause of men, “There Was Something More Important!”

P-rayer:

Dear Jesus,

I know that You came to give me abundant life, yet I also know that once I’ve experienced that, You’re asking me to, in turn, take up my own cross to fulfill my mission as Your follower. Help me, I pray, be the man You have in mind for me to be. Amen