Running to Church

“The Life and Time of Jesus the Messiah”

This year I have been reading a Christian classic in my devotions, “The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah” by Alfred Edersheim. The book goes into great depth about the background of the New Testament gospels and the religious, cultural and social life of the day. As a Jewish Christian, Edersheim was also deeply familiar with the writings of the Jewish Rabbis around the time of Jesus. His knowledge and insight are amazing, especially when you realize that he did his writing in the late 1800’s, without any help from computers. In describing the synagogue service at the time of Jesus, Edersheim writes,

"The weekly Sabbath, the pledge between God and Israel had once more come. To meet it as a bride or queen, each house was adorned on Friday evening. The Sabbath lamp was lighted; the festive garments put on; the table provided with the best the family could afford; and the Qiddush, or benediction, was spoken over the cup of wine, which, as always was mixed with water. And as Sabbath morning broke, they hastened with quick steps to the Synagogue; for such was the Rabbinic rule for going, while it was prescribed to return with slow lingering steps."

How Is Your Attitude?

I read this, I was struck with just how different our attitude about gathering to worship God is. Rather than anticipate Sunday as a great day when the church, the bride of Christ, gathers to worship its savior and Lord, we come more out of duty or guilt. Instead of expecting to meet God, we look at our watches and mark time until the service is over. And instead of hurrying to church with excitement to be able to worship the God of heaven and a reluctance to leave the gathering of God’s people, we drag our feet, come in late and rush home as soon as church is over so we can watch the big game. How different their attitude about gathering for worship was than ours is!

Time for a Change of Heart

We need to remember the exhortation to us by the author of Hebrews, to not forsake our own assembling together, as some people were in the habit of doing, but to gather all the more as we see the day of Christ’s return drawing nearer (Hebrews 10:25). We need the help and encouragement of others now more than ever! So let’s change our hearts and begin to approach Sundays with an attitude of eagerness and anticipation, excited about gathering with God’s people and expecting God to meet us. Let’s be willing to linger with God’s people and see what God might do if we make ourselves available. Who knows? God might just show up in some surprising ways when we actually come expecting to meet Him here with His people. Think about it…

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