Jesus "Met"

What Did Jesus Do?

…and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue.
Mark 1.21

The New Testament does not record any Sabbaths when Jesus slept in. Nor does it report that there were any gloriously fine Sabbaths where Jesus could not resist the urge to schedule an early tee time and skipped going to the synagogue. Neither do we read of Jesus remarking, “You don’t have to go to synagogue to be a Jew.” What we do find in the Gospels is that Jesus, who was on the road continually during his ministry, sought out and attended the Sabbath meeting of the local synagogue wherever he happened to be. Though the less than cordial treatment of the scribes, Pharisees, and priests would have likely influenced many of us to avoid going if we had been the target of their criticism and murmuring, Jesus refused to fall victim to the habit of neglecting to meet together with God’s people, but consistently showed up Sabbath after Sabbath, when his teaching was a great encouragement to many. (See Hebrews 10.25 for instruction on the importance of our meeting together with other disciples.)

How many of us ever think of attending worship, and meeting together with other believers as an encouragement to them? Having stood in a pulpit on many Sundays I can tell you that pastors at least are encouraged when we show up for Sunday services. But, seriously, if one can commune with God any place, any time, is it really that important to meet with others? Jesus thought it was and he took advantage of every opportunity to meet. How is it that so many of us believe we have less need of meeting together with God’s children than the Lord did?

And, of those of us who do meet together, how many of us go hoping to get something, without an equal or even stronger desire to give something to others? Some of us go because we like the music. Some enjoy the prayers. Others look forward to hearing the Word proclaimed. And, yes, some show up just to, well, show up, believing their physical presence counts for something, even if mentally and spiritually they are miles away. But there are occasions, and places, where the atmosphere of the meeting is altogether different, where one encounters a fellowship of giving, of mutual encouragers in the Lord, who meet for the joy of it, the privilege of it, and for the love of God and of loving others. That’s what Jesus did when he “met” on the Sabbath.

S.D.G.

Jim
www.jimwilkenministries.org
Marion, NC
PS 37.4