The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Mark 10:1,
"Jesus then left that place and went into the region of Judea and across the Jordan. Again crowds of people came to him, and as was his custom, he taught them."
"As was his custom…" When one is referred to as doing something "as his custom" it indicates a habit, an activity repeated in an expected way, maybe even anticipated. This doesn't mean there were no surprises from Jesus as we read in following verses that Jesus "amazed" his disciples 10:24, that they were "more amazed" in 10:26, and even "astonished", 10:32, and this after having spent several years with him! Possibly we could say in addition to his custom of teaching crowds, it was his custom to amaze and surprise his disciples! I have a strong hunch that on resurrection day we will all be amazed, astonished and surprised ourselves at the wonder of what we find!
But have you ever thought what life might be like if Jesus, if God, changed all the time? What if God had no specific way, nothing customary or expected about him? What if we could never know what to expect from him from day to day? Maybe one day he is loving toward us, maybe another moody and angry with us? Maybe he accepts people one way today and another tomorrow? Think of the anxiety that would generate within us!
But, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Hebrews 13:8. He has his ways. He is the same today as he was yesterday. After much of a lifetime of knowing him I can say I have seen church movements, fads and gimmicks come and go, theological themes of interest shift and change. but the Lord I know and love today is the exact same personality and character I came to know almost 40 years ago.
"As his custom", he is always there to meet with me when I bring my thoughts and concerns to him in prayer. "As his custom", he always brings me new and exciting insights into his word as I spend time there with him in the pages of Scripture. "As his custom", he always brings me a sense of remorse for the things that I do that I know disappoint him, myself and others. "As his custom", I sense his forgiveness and assurance he has a place for me in his family. "As his custom" he brings a dimension to life that adds fresh air, vibrancy and vitality – he brings gusto to living!
"As his custom", he never changes and I have pinned my future on the certain reliability that he is never-changing! And, I wouldn't want it any other way!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
"Jesus then left that place and went into the region of Judea and across the Jordan. Again crowds of people came to him, and as was his custom, he taught them."
"As was his custom…" When one is referred to as doing something "as his custom" it indicates a habit, an activity repeated in an expected way, maybe even anticipated. This doesn't mean there were no surprises from Jesus as we read in following verses that Jesus "amazed" his disciples 10:24, that they were "more amazed" in 10:26, and even "astonished", 10:32, and this after having spent several years with him! Possibly we could say in addition to his custom of teaching crowds, it was his custom to amaze and surprise his disciples! I have a strong hunch that on resurrection day we will all be amazed, astonished and surprised ourselves at the wonder of what we find!
But have you ever thought what life might be like if Jesus, if God, changed all the time? What if God had no specific way, nothing customary or expected about him? What if we could never know what to expect from him from day to day? Maybe one day he is loving toward us, maybe another moody and angry with us? Maybe he accepts people one way today and another tomorrow? Think of the anxiety that would generate within us!
But, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Hebrews 13:8. He has his ways. He is the same today as he was yesterday. After much of a lifetime of knowing him I can say I have seen church movements, fads and gimmicks come and go, theological themes of interest shift and change. but the Lord I know and love today is the exact same personality and character I came to know almost 40 years ago.
"As his custom", he is always there to meet with me when I bring my thoughts and concerns to him in prayer. "As his custom", he always brings me new and exciting insights into his word as I spend time there with him in the pages of Scripture. "As his custom", he always brings me a sense of remorse for the things that I do that I know disappoint him, myself and others. "As his custom", I sense his forgiveness and assurance he has a place for me in his family. "As his custom" he brings a dimension to life that adds fresh air, vibrancy and vitality – he brings gusto to living!
"As his custom", he never changes and I have pinned my future on the certain reliability that he is never-changing! And, I wouldn't want it any other way!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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