Luke 4:16 – And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. (KJV)

I once saw a funny cartoon of a man with a placard that said something like "What if Jesus had died on the cross online?" I can't recollect the words exactly, but the point was that people seem to prefer online gathering to physical gathering.

In today's verse, we see that Jesus went to the synagogue "as his custom was". It's a well-known fact that He came to die for us, but it wasn't compulsory for Him to go to the synagogue. Christ made it a personal custom. He could have sat on Simon Peter's boat during the Sabbath and the multitudes would have flocked to Him for healing and the multiplication of the loaves and fishes.

Hebrews 10:25 – Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. (KJV)

There are situations that may necessitate connecting to services online, but outside of those circumstances, we should aim to make it a habit to gather together. Scripture tells us, "Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. (Proverbs 27:17 KJV) But if we worship God alone, how can iron sharpen iron? How can we display those Christian virtues of love, temperance, and long-suffering towards one another? How can we draw those lost in the world to the light of Christ? Faith in God cannot be just a personal thing. Service to God is to be to brothers and sisters in Christ, as well as to unbelievers.

Christians, let all who are able come out from our isolation and gather together where we can worship God in spirit and in truth. Those who are in an environment isolated from fellow believers, or where persecution is rife, can create a place of fellowship in their homes. Fellowship is important to us and to God.

Acts 2:44,46-47 – And all that believed were together, and had all things common. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. (KJV)

Prayer: Father, may we find our places in the gathering of believers. Amen.

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About the author:

John Oguntoyinbo <jesutosinjohn@gmail.com>
Nigeria
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