Habit or Custom?

He [Jesus] went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day, he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. Luke 4:16 NIV

As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue. Acts 17:2 NIV

Have you ever heard someone comment on your regular Church attendance by saying, “It’s only a habit you know, that’s all”? I have, but let’s be clear, it’s a good habit to start even if that’s all it is!. Both Jesus and Paul had the custom [habit] of going to the Temple regularly, and we wouldn’t say that was a bad habit! The early church knew the importance of regular attendance at the Temple or Synagogue. By their actions, we should take note and follow suit. Going to Church regularly is not an easy habit to cultivate, but be certain of this, it’s a good custom.

As I thought about this custom exercised by our Lord and Saviour and the apostle Paul, I asked myself a couple of questions. Like, before going in, did they ever double check who the speaker was? Or who was leading the singing?? Also, did they ask themselves if there was a better Temple in the next street or town? Or if they had a teacher with more charisma, or presence with a better preaching style? If we are truly using Scripture wisely, we are told only that it was their custom to go to church, and nothing is said about being sidetracked to a different, or better, or bigger, church or pastor.

Then my imagination turns to what happens after the early apostles left the Temple. Did they grumble about the speaker, talking between themselves, that he could have done better? He isn’t as good as the last Temple leader. They don’t sing the Psalms I am familiar with, and like. It begs the consideration, “What did they go to their Church for”? When the answer becomes that they are only there to worship God in His Holiness, then all other thoughts, doubts and human fears will fade and disappear.

I am not asking you, because each person must answer for themselves, but I am turning the question back on myself. What is the REAL reason for the custom or habit I have of going to church? If it’s not to worship in Holiness and truth, then I must return to my first love and set aside the other reasonings and stop hiding behind all my excuses for being unhappy with that particular Church, or Pastor, or Worship leader! To put it another way, if I am bearing the name of Christ as a Christian, then I must behave like one! Ouch, that hurts!

Three Years and Three Days

For three years Jesus’ closest friends stayed with Him, through thick and thin. Together they watched as their Master healed the sick, made the lame walk, the blind to see, and even raised the dead back to life. They had an extraordinary apprenticeship as those first disciples.

Then came the three days. On Friday, they abandoned Him and scattered. On Saturday, they hid out of sight, from fear of the crowds and authorities. But on Sunday, they found their voice, and the reason for the apprenticeship was clear. From the resurrection on, these same men who scattered and hid, now set out to change the world. The world has been turned upside down because of that first resurrection Sunday.

As His Church, how do we react to the Gospel message? Do we scatter and hide, or do we stand firm in the strength of the certainty that God Raised His Son from the dead? And for what reason? To show us the way of salvation and eternal life through repentance. I pray we are found worthy of the price Jesus paid to get our attention. It is worth noting that it was left to the faithful women to tell the disciples that their Master had risen. What a message God chose to give these Godly women, and NOT the disciples, as recorded in Matthew’s gospel:

He is not here: for He is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples. Matthew 28:6,7