SOAP Bible Devotion - Mark 12:18-34

SCRIPTURE:

“Jesus spoke to (the Sadducees), “Isn’t this the reason why you’re mistaken: you don’t know the Scriptures or the power of God?” - Mark 12:24

“When Jesus saw that (this Scribe) answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And no one dared to question him any longer. - Mark 12:34

OBSERVATION:

Jesus has a clear understanding of the Scriptures and chooses carefully when to make it known. In many stories, he does not correct erroneous beliefs (deformity is caused by sin) or take the bait in arguments (woman at the well) because he is more interested in the relationship he’s developing than the facts of biblical interpretation. But, at other times, Jesus calls out false teaching and celebrates great understanding. In today’s reading, he does both.

This is the only mention of the Sadducees in the book of Mark. They show up to corner Jesus. Sadducees were wealthy, pompous leaders who said their beliefs were based 100 per cent on scripture. Since they could not find resurrection in the Old Testament, they didn’t believe in it.

They approached Jesus and called him teacher. Then they told him one of their favourite jokes about resurrection. They were mocking the teacher, making fun of His beliefs. Imagine coming to Jesus, who was going to give new life to the entirety of humanity through His resurrection, and telling a joke that you thought completely dismantled the idea of people coming back to life.

“A man dies, leaving his childless wife to his brother (Deut 25:5-6) and then that brother dies, again childless. All seven brothers in the family do the same! Then she dies. At the resurrection, who will be her husband!??!” (cue laugh track)

Jesus tears into them. “Here’s the punchline of your joke: As Sadducees, you misunderstand Scripture and you limit God’s power due to your own lack of understanding!” Then Jesus continues and drops some serious truth. In God’s epic memory, every person who has died is perfectly remembered and awaiting resurrection. Second, in God’s amazing power, He will change us at the resurrection to have eternal bodies like the angels, bodies that do not need to reproduce. Marriage is moot in Heaven!”

Mic drop.

Um, what?

But nobody steps forward and challenges Jesus. They can see they’ve just been schooled, even though they don’t know what to do with the lesson.

Rather than focusing on the receding Sadducees or Jesus’ huge truth reveal, the story continues. A scribe listening to the debate is blown away by Jesus’ answer. He stumbles into the awkward silence left by Jesus’ truth bomb and blurts a question he is personally struggling with. No joke this time. His heart is on the line. His question isn’t a new one. It isn’t tricky. It’s just that it’s such an important question, and he wants to know if he thinks like Jesus - the Truth of God guy.

“Which command is the most important of all?”

Jesus answers with the oldest, most loved teaching of the Torah, the Shema. “The most important is ‘Listen, Israel! The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is, Love your neighbour as yourself. There is no other command greater than these.’ ”

Then the scribe calls Jesus “Teacher” just like the Sadducees had. But, he means it. “You are right, Teacher. You have correctly said that he is one, and there is no one else except him. And to love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, and with all your strength, and to love your neighbour as yourself, is far more important than all the burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

I love that the scribe, who loves writing stuff, rewrites the Shema. He’s spent a lot of time with it. And he loves it. He throws his version at Jesus, and Jesus really digs it. He loves it. And, Jesus loves the scribe!

When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.”

APPLICATION:

Jesus said, “I am the Truth.” He knows everything there is to know about God, life, the universe, humanity and spirituality. But, he doesn’t go around spouting truth just for the sake of it. He uses truth to strengthen relationships.

To the Sadducees, Jesus unloaded two truth bombs because they needed it. I don’t think you can find those two truths anywhere but from Jesus. We won’t be married in Heaven. God will alter our bodies at the resurrection to be Human 2.0 - more like angels but still uniquely human. Wow. Useful to know? Not really. Not right now. But, shockingly interesting - and powerful that he knows these things about the future. And, he demonstrated to the Sadducees. who made jokes out of other people’s beliefs, that there’s way more truth about us than you can find in the Scriptures. God hasn’t shown us everything. It’s best to believe there is more to learn!

To the scripture-seeking Scribe, Jesus shows honour. Jesus loves him. Jesus shares his Kingdom with him. That he was still asking his question, even after internalising the Shema since childhood, showed that he was truly seeking God, not just playing with words.

PRAYER:

Dear Jesus,

I want to know everything you want me to know. But, more than knowledge, I want to know you! Help me to ask good questions that lead me closer and closer to the Kingdom of God. Remind me to never make fun of the religion or beliefs of other people. It’s the people you love, not their words. I want to love like you do. Amen.

https://biblestudysoap2suds.substack.com/p/soap-mark-1218-34?r=49cvn

The Wedding Florist

 

My daughter is a wedding florist. When she puts flowers together in a bouquet, they are a work of art. You only get one wedding, right? So, the flowers, like everything else, need to be the most glorious you’ve ever seen.

We live in Melbourne, Australia. It is cold right now. Nobody wants a cold wedding. Because, just like the flowers, you want the best weather you can get, and that’s not going to happen in August in Melbourne.

With no work for the month, my daughter decided to try a pop-up flower stand in a local shopping centre. So, the wedding florist showed up with flowers and started making bouquets. Wedding bouquets. Because that’s what she does. And wow, the comments!

I sat in the flower stand for a few hours each afternoon that I could. “Are these flowers real?” was the most common question I got asked.

I would smile and say, “Yes! They are beautiful, aren’t they?” Then I would tell them about my daughter, the wedding florist, and why these flowers looked so much better than the flowers they were used to seeing. “A wedding florist shapes each flower,” I said, more than once.

One young couple walked by holding hands. She whispered to him, “You should buy me flowers!”

I wasn’t meant to hear it, but being single-sided deaf, I read lips very well. I said, “Yeah, he should!” They both turned around and burst out laughing.

An elderly lady walked up and said, “I need some flowers for my neighbour’s daughter. But, I’m not sure if she will come past the house, now that her mum has died.”

“When did your neighbour die?” I asked.

“Yesterday.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.” I said, “Did you know your neighbour well?”

She smiled warmly. “Oh yes, she moved in six years ago and we talked nearly every day!”

I paused and then said, “Your friend passed away yesterday. Are you okay?”

She looked up at me with a teary smile, “What a lovely question,” she said, “Yes, I’m okay. She’s been unwell for some time.”

I had so many great conversations during those afternoon shifts in the flower stand. Ladies, young and old, wanted to tell me about their weddings. Men wanted me to know they used to be florists, deliver flowers, or be married. And lots of people just wanted to be heard. Flowers slow people down. All beautiful things do.

One particular conversation with a man stands out. He was chatty but clearly uncomfortable. I was trying to read him, but getting odd signals. It’s like he had something to say but wasn’t sure he could. Finally, he blurted, “I don’t usually say this, and I’m not sure how you’ll take it, but Jesus loves you.”

“I know!” I said and smiled. “Thanks for reminding me. Do you go to church nearby?”

Clearly relieved, he said, “Yes, I go to the church at the end of Hull Road. It’s called The Sanctuary.”

I laughed. “I go to the same church!” I said, “I just go on the day before you.”

He looked confused and then said, “Oh! Are you a Seventh-day Adventist?”

I nodded and said, “I am, and there’s something I want you to know. Jesus loves you, too!”

I shared the story of this conversation during chapel at the Seventh-day Adventist School, located up the road from the church. When I said the line, “I go to the same church. I just go on the day before you.” I met eyes with one of the teachers who also goes to church with me on Saturdays. She had the same confused look on her face as the man did. What was I missing?

It wasn’t until a few days later, when I was reading a book, that I realised how I was confusing people. In Reggie McNeal’s “A Work of Heart”, he describes a new mindset that is emerging in Christianity — actually a very old mindset — in which followers of Jesus see only two cultures: The Kingdom of God and the pre-Christian world. In a world where Jesus is largely unknown, there are only two kinds of people: those who know Jesus and those who do not. For the past 200 years, during the Christian and post-Christian era, the many denominations of Christianity have been in competition with each other, stealing sheep as often as they could. Many people who grew up in pre-millennial churches still have this mindset. But those of us Jesus people who see the apostolic pre-Christian world around us work together. And, as much as the world needs Jesus, we Jesus followers need each other!

On my final day manning the flower stall, I watched as a stooped elderly lady and her carer walked ever-so-slowly toward one side of the flower display. Finally, they reached the right front corner. Her eyes were downcast, fixed firmly on the seat of her walker as she pushed it along, shuffled step by shuffled step. I waited until she was directly in front of me, flowers all around her. “Hello!” I said cheerfully. She looked up slowly until our eyes met. “How are you today?” I asked.

“Not good at all.” She said.

“It’s been one of those days, has it?” I asked.

She nodded.

Then, with a joyful voice, I chirped, “But look! Flowers!” And I gestured as if doing a magic trick. She smiled and looked at the flowers, perhaps seeing them for the first time. Then I said, “We all have tough days, but flowers help.”

“True. They do,” she said. I looked up at her carer, perhaps her daughter, and she smiled back from behind watery eyes.

“They are free to look at.” I said, quietly, “Spend as long as you like.” She did. And then she looked back at the seat of her walker and continued shuffling through her day, hopefully a little happier having been with a Jesus follower and His flowers.

Today, I’m thinking about my daughter, the wedding florist, and how she shapes each flower. And, I can’t help but think, isn’t this the work of every Jesus follower? We meet people every day, and in conversation, with time and care, we shape them lovingly in the beautiful image of their Maker.

Do you forgive?

 I have a lot of meaningful conversations with my Dad. Today, I received an email from him that had a section about forgiveness. Here is what he said.

Did the paralytic who was let down through the roof ask for forgiveness of his sins? Our pastor says he did but his explanation was in a round about way. There is a growing trend that says you don’t need to ask for forgiveness of your sins, that grace covers it all. What do you think?

I quickly wrote back to my Dad and then, as is the way with writing, I had more to say! So, here is an extended version of my answer.

The ‘paraletic’ refers to the biblical story of Jesus healing a paralysed man recorded in Matthew 9, Mark 2, and Luke 5. The fact that all three synoptic Gospels include this story shows its importance. All three needed this story to explain Jesus and the forgiveness he offers.

When Jesus saw the faith of the man’s friends, who had carried him to Jesus, he declared, "Son, your sins are forgiven." This sparked debate among the religious teachers who questioned Jesus' authority to forgive sins. Jesus then healed the man physically, demonstrating his authority to forgive sins as well as to heal the body.

All human suffering starts with separation from God. Jesus knew this. So, he began with the man’s deepest need - the thing that paralyses all of us - sin. Divine healing starts with Jesus mending the rift between us and God through forgiveness.

Forgiveness for private/personal sin (like the sins of this man, which are not listed) happens within the relationship between the sinner and God. It is not something we can judge from the outside. While all sin is forgiven at the cross, it is a relational experience. It involves recognition, repentance and confession on our part and the promised forgiveness on God's part. It's a love thing!

Forgiveness for sins against other people requires three parties in the healing relationship: the offender, the victim and God. To receive forgiveness, the offender must attempt to reconcile with both the victim and God. While the victim may not offer forgiveness, God is not slow to forgive but is faithful to forgive and cleanse the sinner from all unrighteousness. A victim who knows the love of God personally will also be more likely to forgive those who sin against them.

The idea of forgiveness being a blanket thrown over the fire of sin at the moment of Jesus’ death on the cross does away with the need for relationship, reconciliation and resurrection! It reduces sin to a debt and forgiveness to a transaction. God loves us. He desires a deep abiding relationship with us. He doesn’t just want to forgive us, he wants to heal us and live with us. Such a deep heartfelt relationship — whether it be with a spouse, a child, a coworker or indeed with God — requires the constant interaction of righting wrongs and healing hurts.

Here in Australia, Tic-Tac-Toe has a different name. They call it Naughts-and-Crosses. (O’s and X’s). Divine forgiveness looks like the picture above. It’s a rigged game. There are many naughts but only one cross. Many humans but only one Jesus. By showing up in the middle of our game, he changed everything. Although we were destined to be losers, through his death, he made us winners! Praise God!

Because of Jesus’ forgiveness offered on the cross, those of us who know His heart serve joyfully as ambassadors of God’s love to the world. A love we demonstrate every time we forgive as we have been forgiven.

Personal Bible Journaling

Read this study on Substack

As disciples, our personal time in the Word is the most crucial practice for our spiritual growth. It's the primary way we move from simply being a follower to becoming a disciple-maker, someone who helps others grow in their faith. That's why I want to invite you to join me in a daily Bible journaling practice using the SOAP method.

The benefits of consistent Bible study are immense. Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Bible study is like looking at a mirror and seeing Jesus staring back. It reveals you and reveals Christ to you, at once.

Bible journaling changes your relationship with God and so much more. Through consistent study, we get to know God more intimately, understand His will for our lives, and receive His guidance and strength. It's where we find peace amidst chaos, wisdom in confusion, and hope in despair.

I've been using the SOAP journaling model, and I’m loving it.

The acronym stands for:

• S - Scripture: Write down the specific verse or passage that stands out to you.

• O - Observation: What do you notice in the text? Who is speaking? To whom? What is the context?

• A - Application: How can you apply this truth to your own life today? What needs to change in your heart or actions?

• P - Prayer: Write a prayer to God based on what you've read and how you plan to apply it.

This method forces me to slow down and truly meditate on the Word, rather than just rushing through it. It turns my quiet time from a checklist item into a genuine conversation with God. This practice helps illuminate the path God has for me, day by day. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105).

A.W. Tozer wrote, “The Word of God is a divine and supernatural thing. It is not just a book, but a living, pulsating reality which, when it enters the heart, transforms it.” This is exactly what the SOAP method helps us do—it allows the Word to penetrate our hearts and transform us from the inside out.

I've shared my own personal SOAP journal here:

SOAP 2 Suds - Bible Study Notes

Sign up for my daily free Bible study Journal. 

By Dave Edgren

Have a look at how I'm doing it, and then join in. I’m starting on the Book of Mark tomorrow (11 August 2025). Why not join me? A few sentences in each section is all it takes. It's not about being perfect, but about being consistent and intentional.

I encourage you to learn more about the SOAP method and join me on this journey. Let's make a commitment to intentionally grow in our faith together, deepening our relationship with Christ so we can be a light to others.

Looking forward to seeing what God reveals to you!