Christ’s Custom - Luke 4:16
Introductory Thoughts
In His earthly ministry, the Lord Jesus Christ perfectly fulfilled the will of His Father. Today’s passage calls attention to one of the areas in which He accomplished that will. It was the Saviour’s custom (or habitual habit) to locate and attend the local synagogue on the Sabbath day. What purpose did this custom serve? [The incarnate Son of God had no need of the fellowship and spiritual blessings derived from attending places of worship, yet His faithfulness to do so clearly testifies to the importance of faithful church attendance for those who know the Lord.] For the nation of Israel, the Sabbath or seventh day of the week served as the most important day. Christians in the New Testament meet weekly on the Lord’s Day or the first day of the week (Acts 20:7), yet the application of assembling together remains constant. Unless providentially hindered or physically confined, there should never be any question where the Christian will be at church time. Unlike the Saviour, we need the fellowship of God’s people along with the spiritual admonitions received from faithful church attendance.
Devotional Thoughts
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(For children): Christ set the example for us to be in God's house at the appropriate times. After Christ returned to heaven, His followers continued this practice (Luke 24:52-53). God also wants us to follow the examples set before us and be faithful to His house.
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(For everyone): Is it your custom to be at church at the appointed times? Are people surprised if you are missing, or have they become accustomed to your inconsistency and instability?
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How many services a week does your church have? How many of those services do you normally attend? Are you providentially hindered from attending some services? If so, do you attend as many as the Lord allows?
Prayer Thoughts
- Ask the Lord to help you develop a custom of faithful church attendance.
- Ask God to show you the importance of attending services.
Song
Footprints of Jesus
