SOAP Justified

S--Luke 10:25-29

O--When I first realized that today's reading ended at Luke 10:29, I was confused and thought it odd to stop reading in the middle of a story.  But it made me focus on the first part of the story, the part where the lawyer questions Jesus about inheriting eternal life.  In turn, Jesus gives the lawyer the opportunity to form his own opinion of what the law says.

At first glance, I thought I remembered Jesus saying these very words of "Love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself."  But I was shocked to realize that in this story, the lawyer gives that definition without any prompting.  In the book of Matthew, Jesus is prompted with this same question and Jesus answers himself.  I can only think that perhaps the lawyer in Luke was at the meeting recorded in Matthew 22:35-40...otherwise how would he know to combine Deut 6:5 with "Love your neighbor as yourself?"


In Matthew 19, another man asks Jesus about inheriting eternal life, and Jesus quotes part of the ten commandments.  This man was grieved when, in addition, Jesus asked him to sell all of his riches and give them to the poor (v21-22)

Why are we always wanting to be justified?  Why is it that we so much want eternal life, but no one wants to give himself fully to Jesus?  The lawyer wanted to be justified in his actions of not loving his neighbor.  The rich man didn't want to give up his wealth.

A--I wonder what I am holding back from God.  How am I being unloving to my "neighbor" and how am I trying to justify myself and how does this need to change?

(meditation)

This meditation didn't take long before God literally rested my eyes on some paperwork that has been causing tension between my husband and I.  God is telling me to be patient and let my husband lead in the way he needs to lead.  Not in the way I want him to lead.

I've been pushing my husband for some additional life insurance ever since he started instructing (notice I didn't think combat was nearly as dangerous:)  )  But, for whatever reason, my husband has put it off.  We finally made some headway this weekend, but I'm still frustrated over it's incompleteness.  I'm so afraid that something will happen to one of us and that the surviving spouse will have regret over needing more money.  It seems petty and morbid, but it's a valid fear.  God is reminding me as I type that our lives are in his hands and if the life insurance is necessary then he will let it happen in due time.  In addition, he reminds me that--life insurance or not--he is always going to be there for us and that he will be our provider in any circumstance.

P--Lord, I know I've been bothered by this for way too long.  Please help me to having a loving heart and to trust my husband with this decision.  Also, help him to have the wisdom to know the how, when and how much.  Amen.