Devotions this week based on the Message: “Christ or Customs?”
Mark 12:27 Then [Jesus] said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. 28 So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”
This is such an important truth to remember.
The Sabbath was God’s gift to mankind. The Son of Man, Jesus, is Lord of the Sabbath. So he gets to determine its proper use and what is proper to do on it…not mankind.
That’s easy to acknowledge and hard to carry out.
Why? Because we want to be lord. We want to be in charge, not just of the Sabbath, but of the whole Church.
Unfortunately, it’s our sinful nature that rears its ugly head and desires to set up and make the church how I want it, determine what I think is important, and make others conform to what I like.
I know that is not true of everybody all the time, but it is a temptation…and a temptation into which we can easily fall.
While at times I want the church to meet my needs, in my way, and do things the way I prefer and the way I like, bottom line it makes for a very shallow experience of church…not only for you, but for everyone.
Lord, I repent of making the Church about me and subtly claiming to be “Lord of the Church.”
Jesus statement to the Pharisees is a call to once again realize the blessing of the Sabbath. Transferring this truth to the Church it’s a call to once again see the Church as Christ intended it.
When Christ is Lord of the Church, I find a place focused on the Word of truth.
John 17:17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.
When Christ is Lord of the Church, I enjoy a place filled with his grace.
Revelation 1:4-6 To the seven churches in the province of Asia:
Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits[a] before his throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.
To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, 6 and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.
When Christ is Lord of the Church, I grow closer to Christ and his purpose for me.
Ephesians 4:15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
When Christ is Lord of the Church, I experience all the blessings God intends for me to enjoy through his church: grace, love, forgiveness, faith, giftedness, growth, purpose, and much more.
Enjoy the blessing of the Church, which God has given to you and Christ rules over.
Enjoy the customs that help keep you and others connected to Christ.
Apply: What blessings do you enjoy from the Church when Christ stays at the center and focus of all they do?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for establishing the Church as a place of your love and grace. Help us to keep it as you intended, share it with others, and always make it a place where you are Lord, not us. Amen.