It's Customary

PASSAGE FOR THE DAY:
Luke 4 (click the link)


KEY VERSES:
And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up; and as was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, and stood up to read. (Luke 4:16, NASB)


THE BIG IDEA:
After Jesus is baptized and the Holy Spirit descends upon Him in chapter 3, chapter 4 begins with Jesus leaving the Jordan and going into the wilderness for 40 days. The devil tempts Jesus three times: once in the desert; once “up” to view the kingdoms of the world; and once at the pinnacle of the temple in Jerusalem.  With each temptation Jesus answers with scripture from the law in Deuteronomy. After Jesus is tempted by the devil the third time and Jesus turns away from the temptation, the devil departs from Jesus. Jesus leaves the pinnacle of the temple and returns to Galilee… to His earthly homeland (the kid in me still wonders how Jesus got down from the pinnacle after the devil left Him “up” there, but I decided years ago that when there is a will there is a way and God can provide the way).


REFLECTIONS:
I am struck by where Dr. Luke, the detail guy, tells us Jesus goes first after being tempted by Satan… to the synagogues in Galilee to teach. Word traveled fast and Jesus was praised by all (verse15).

Even during Jesus’ time when there was disagreement and corruption in the synagogues, scripture was still read, the goers could still rely on the readings each and every Sabbath. Everyone entering any synagogue knew they would hear and receive the customary order of service at synagogue:

1. The Shema “Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One” (Deuteronomy 6:4)
2. Prayers and receive a blessing from the priest
3. The reading of the Law from the Torah scrolls by the high priest
4. The Haftarah, the reading of the prophets from the scrolls—usually read by someone from the synagogue community
5. A sermon or teaching related to the Haftarah—usually by someone from the synagogue community
6. The Priestly blessing “May the Lord Bless you and keep you…” (Numbers 6:24-26)

Jesus entered the synagogue in Nazareth, as was His custom even after being led through the wilderness for 40 days, denouncing great temptation, traveling, and teaching in neighboring communities.

Jesus is part of the Sabbath prayer service on this day at synagogue. He is handed the scrolls to read from Isaiah: 

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,

Because He anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor.

He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives,

And recovery of sight to the blind,

To set free those who are oppressed,

To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.” (verses 18-19)

It seems so much of what Jesus did and continues to do through the Holy Spirit is His custom because He knows His Father and desires to be in constant contact with Him.  Jesus knew the scriptures of the law deep within Himself because it was His custom to know. He could fend off the devil with each temptation. He knew the responses that God had provided long ago. His hometown synagogue knew Him as well and when Jesus came home He was included in the Sabbath service. And as was customary, Jesus continued after the reading from the prophets (the Haftarah) to give the sermon… and a fiery sermon it was (that makes two June. If you missed June’s devo on chapter 3 Friday… check it out).

The testimony of another believer made a difference in my life. She explained how knowing the scriptures made a difference in hers: While on a retreat many, many years ago a pastor shared that each morning she reads scripture she delegated for that day along with a devotion relating to the scripture… sort of her own devo Haftarah if you will. Even on days when she doesn’t want to or doesn’t have time. Even if she hurries through it and doesn’t comprehend a thing she reads. She still reads. She shared it never fails, on the days when she is tempted to close the Bible and not read, that at some point during the day something would come up relating to the verses from her morning scripture. She said she now has the Word of the Lord available to her and it’s important. She has the scripture because she read it, and even if briefly, has pondered it. The Word stuck. It was her custom. 

PONDERINGS:

Lord, is it my custom to be in Your presence in ways that delight You?  Is it my custom to include prayer in all decisions?  Is it my custom to read, study and ponder Your Word… daily?  Is it my custom to rely on You in the face of temptation?

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, please forgive me for not having the custom of You in all things I do, say and think. Thank You Lord for the example of Your son. Thank You for your mercy and grace.

WHO AM I

Recently I was in the Deep South for my aunt’s memorial service. I had forgotten some of the customs of the Deep South—of my “homeland.” A waitress calling me Suga Baby, the gentleman at the gas station calling me darlin’, wearing hose to a funeral no matter how steaming hot it is, sweet cheek kisses, a r-e-a-l-l-y  s-l-o-w, thick drawl, fried everything, comfort of extended family, kudzo, and dangling Spanish moss so low you can grab it.  Be blessed y’all, Gayle.