Scripture
Our verse for today comes from Luke 19:47, ” And He was teaching daily in the temple. But the chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people sought to destroy Him. “
Background
If your church is anything like most churches, there will not be a service on most weeknights. Unless you happen to be having a special revival service, most weeknights (other than perhaps Wednesdays) are usually pretty quiet at church. No doubt there are activities and meetings of sorts that occur throughout the week, but our official times for worship and Bible teaching usually fall on Sundays and Wednesdays. Does that sound kind of odd to you? Our official times for worship and Bible teaching? For so many years I used to think that church was what took place on Sundays and Wednesdays. I didn’t begrudge those two days, but they were different from the other five, separate and somehow isolated. I didn’t party the rest of the week, but I didn’t long to be in church, either. I was there for the official times of worship and teaching. And though that’s a good thing, it could also be not so good.
Application
Jesus spent His final week before the cross teaching in the temple daily. That is so much the good thing. The chief priests and that sort of crowd, however, appeared to be right there with Him. But that wasn’t so good. Their agenda was slightly different from what Jesus was there for. And that’s really what makes it church for some and not for others. Showing up when the doors open is a wonderful thing, regardless of whether the doors open seven days a week or only on Sundays. But unless your agenda is in line with the Lord’s, those times in the church may feel separate and isolated for you as well. They may have little or no effect on your life the other days of the week. And that is the real tragedy. Going to church is not the end in itself. It is more of a conduit. Worship and grace flow through it, back and forth, up and down, and in all directions. And when the service ends, it has only begun. The cross was only hours away for Christ, and there He was, and there He went. Maybe there is no official time for worship and Bible teaching.
Charge
As we seek Him today, ask God to make all your days be more like a Sunday or Wednesday. Continue having church wherever you are and wherever you go.
Rich Holt / Originally Published on : BCWorldview.org
Also published on : Medium.com.