19th August 2022
Traditions or mission?
Indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, the synagogue leader said to the people, “There are six days for work. So come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath.”
Luke 13:14 (NIV)
In this story, taken from Luke chapter 13, a religious leader of Jesus’ time is angry that Jesus healed somebody on the Sabbath day. Conformity to their religious system had become more important than showing love to people. However, Jesus pointed out their wrong priorities by highlighting how they would rather see somebody suffering than break their religious rules which forbade Jesus to heal on the Sabbath.
The views of the religious leaders of Jesus’ day may seem harsh to us, yet it is all too easy to fall into the same trap. Has your church culture become one in which customs and practices take priority over welcoming a move of the Holy Spirit in your midst? Are your traditions more important than reaching those in your community who don’t know Jesus?
A healthy church is one which has Jesus at the centre. We want others to meet with, and get to know Jesus, so, along with preaching the gospel, our practices revolve around serving the communities where we meet. We join Jesus in the work he is doing in the community, not prioritising our own traditions and comfort zones. Does your congregation meet in the best place, and on the best day and time to share the love of Jesus with those who don’t know him? Does the work of your church make a difference to the community around it? Is the service format and music appealing to newcomers? Are there friendly people to greet them at the door, activities for their children, and people who will assure they are welcomed into the congregation in the most effective way?
We may not be able to do all of these things but, at the same time, we shouldn’t be content to just carry on as we are, these are things to consider. We have the option of welcoming the work of Jesus into our midst or rejecting his work in order to carry on with our own traditions and practices. Let’s examine and question our priorities and ‘…throw off everything that hinders and…run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.’ (Hebrews 12:1-2)
Prayer
Father, thank you that when Jesus came to save us, he also showed us a new set of priorities. He now asks us to cast off anything that gets in the way of living for him, and in so doing to join him in doing his work. Please help me to love and appreciate Jesus so much that his priorities will become my priorities. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Study by Anthony Dady
About the writer:
Anthony Dady is a Minister in Grace Communion International and is the Regional Pastor for Wales, the Midlands, and Northern England.
Local congregation:
GCI Northampton
Ecton Village Hall
78A High Street
Ecton
Northampton
NN6 0QB
Meeting time:
Saturday 11.00am
Local congregational contact:
Maggie Mitchell
Email: maggie.mitchell@btinternet.com
Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church