“Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time on and forevermore.”
(Psalm 113:2 NRSV)
Last night when our family returned home I realized our front door had not been locked while we were gone. I shuddered to think of what “could have happened” and was grateful for what did not happen. After all, the house was intact and nothing was wrong.
Later my husband came to tell me something important to him, but truly frustrating to me because I can’t deal with his concern until some other things are worked out. I know that his intention was to make me aware of my need to plan for that issue, but I truly could not put together a plan in that moment.
After that I went to the dryer to retrieve a load of clean laundry, only to find it on the floor, mixed with clean clothes. The child who had relocated my laundry got an earful, more than really deserved in the moment, because I was tired and already frustrated about other things.
Have you noticed that timing matters?
Our pastor was preaching last night on how important it is for disciples to be “in Church.” He talked about Hebrews 10:24-25 and “not neglecting to meet together” and how Luke 4:16 shows us that if we are to imitate Jesus (which we are), we should make it a habit of being in Church. After all, “Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them,” and isn’t the point of being in Church to be gathered together with Jesus and his people?
But then he started talking about how “being in Church” is also a matter of timing.
Immediately after his resurrection, Jesus appeared to the frightened disciples who had locked themselves in a room, not knowing that he was alive again. Suddenly he appeared to them and said, “’Peace be with you.’ [Then] he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’” But, evidently Thomas wasn’t with them to receive the Holy Spirit in that moment. The Bible doesn’t tell us why Thomas wasn’t there, but we know that, unlike the rest of the disciples, he had to wait an extra week to see Jesus. (John 20:24) For whatever reason, his timing was such that he missed the gift Jesus had for him in that moment.
The Bible tells us that Jesus appeared to 500 people after the Resurrection and before the Ascension. But on the day of Pentecost – only 50 days after the Resurrection – only 120 people were gathered in the Upper Room. Where were the other 380 people? Look at what they missed by not being gathered together with the other believers!
Timing matters – that a thief wouldn’t find our house when the door is unlocked, that a suggestion is given in the right timing, that a child is corrected with the right heart. But timing also matters so that we are right where God wants us to be at any given moment. Imagine how Thomas would have felt, knowing that he’d missed Jesus. Imagine how the other 380 believers would have felt, knowing they had missed the experience of that first Pentecost. Imagine what your life would have been like if someone(s) hadn’t taken the time to tell you about Jesus. Imagine what we might have missed if we hadn’t been gathered with God’s people in worship and fellowship. Remember how rich your life is for the time and times you have taken to be with God. Remember the gift of time spent with God and his people.
Timing matters.
Perfect God,
Thank you for revealing yourself to us through Jesus Christ and for the gifts of grace, mercy, forgiveness, and hope you offer us. Thank you that your thoughts and ways and timing are perfect; help us to be attuned to them so that we are moving in flow with your Spirit. Help our timing in the many conversations and activities of this life to be aligned with yours. Give us a deep desire to be gathered together with other believers for worship and fellowship and then protect us from any circumstances that hinder us – illness and pain, transportation problems, distractions and bad choices, or whatever else the enemy of our souls throws at us. Pour out your blessings on us as we seek your face. We ask this in the strong name of Christ, Amen.
“Let us consider [thoughtfully] how we may encourage one another to love and to do good deeds, not forsaking our meeting together [as believers for worship and instruction], as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more [faithfully] as you see the day [of Christ’s return] approaching.” (Hebrews 10:24-25 AMP)
“When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom.” (Luke 4:16 NRSV)
“For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” (Matthew 18:20 NRSV)
“Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”” (John 20:21-22 NRSV)
“But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”
“A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”” (John 20:24-29 NRSV)
(Post originally published April 14, 2022)