Devotional Guide, Today’s Reading –Sunday December 18, 2022

Comment: During the first advent of Jesus Christ, he was unequivocal about the preeminence of doing God’s work over all else. He told his disciples on one occasion, “My meat is to do the will of Him that sent me, and to finish His work.”- John 4:34. This Christ said to teach his disciples that the work of God supersedes all else. On another occasion, while being hosted in Martha’s house, her sister Mary sat at Jesus’ feet listening to his preaching while Martha was busy serving refreshments. Martha was unhappy that her sister Mary was not helping with the serving of guests and requested Christ to prevail on Mary to help her out. The reply of Jesus to Martha is instructive of how paying heed to God’s word supersedes all else. He told her, “Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” – Luke 10: 38-42. See also Matthew 6:33.

Contrary to Christ’s admonition above, many today including those who are self-employed sometimes chose work or open their businesses during service hours, instead of attending Church Services for worship. Scripture refers to this present time we live as a dangerous era in the annals of human history, and so worshippers of God should be diligent and heed the numerous admonitions in the Scriptures to congregate regularly for worship. See Hebrews 10:25; Zephaniah 2:1-3; 2 Peter 1:5-10.