February 27 – Jesus Through the Pages Day 2

The 6-week period of Lent leads up to Easter and is a time for believers to really take in all Jesus did for us through his death and resurrection. This Lent, we are preparing by digging deep into Jesus’ character through the pages of the Bible. Our daily Bible readings will go from Genesis to Revelation searching for Jesus and who he is. Our study uses the SOAP method of Bible study to seek an application for each reading (not sure what this is? Check out the What’s SOAP? tab). We have provided an example SOAP note below today’s reading. Join in this study by completing the daily readings and journaling using SOAP and you are welcome to use the Comments section at the bottom of our homepage to share or ask questions.

Jesus is the Victor. Reading: Genesis 3:9-15 – 9 But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” 10 He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.” 11 And he said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?” 12 The man said, “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” 13 Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” 14 So the Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, “Cursed are you above all livestock     and all wild animals! You will crawl on your belly     and you will eat dust     all the days of your life. 15 And I will put enmity     between you and the woman,     and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head,     and you will strike his heel.” 1 Corinthians 15:55-57 – Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

SOAP Note

God Always Has a Plan | Marianne Toovey

Scripture

Genesis 3:15, 1 Corinthians 15:57

Observation

So we’ve already established that Jesus was there in the beginning. He is a part of the creation story, he IS the creation story! Sadly, that story didn’t go as planned. Adam & Eve succumbed to temptation and sin entered the world. There had to be consequences for their actions. But in that moment – thousands of years before Jesus came to earth – God hatched a plan. A rescue mission. Yes, the enemy can hurt us (“you will strike his heel”) but he has already been effectively defeated (“He will crush your head”) through the death and resurrection of the Son. It’s over! We won! Oh death, where is your sting? Oh hell, where is your victory?

Application

No matter how bad things may get, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. If God can hatch a plan for the ultimate rescue operation thousands of years before He gets to utilize it, I can rest assured He has plans for little ol’ me too. God’s plans are always good and He’s faithful to see them through to their completion – we can see that right here in these two passages. In all that time from the fall of mankind to the death of His Son, God never gave up on His people and He’ll never give up on me. I can trust Him to get me through this.

Prayer

Dear God, You are a Master Planner and a Great Warrior! I trust You to fight my battles and to give me the strength to make it through. I thank You for Your plans for my life – plans to prosper me, not to harm me; to give me hope and a future. Thank You for rescuing me and for eternal life. I love You! In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Discover One Thing main website has more resources on the SOAP method of Bible study. Click HERE to go to the website.