Mark 6:2 – When the Sabbath came, [Jesus] began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. "Where did this man get these things?" they asked. "What's this wisdom that has been given him that he even does miracles!" (NIV)

Over many years of being a pastor, one of the saddest things about ministry that I experienced was the number of people who took their faith for granted and attended church infrequently. No matter how hard that I tried to encourage them to be at worship on Sundays, they often had something else to do with family or friends. They simply believed that God would indulge their lack of dedication to His Son, and just turn a blind eye, allowing them to do what they wanted.

Nothing could be further from the truth. Jesus, Who knows God more personally than we could ever imagine, was always in synagogue on the Sabbath. He wouldn't dishonour God by neglecting to worship and study on the special day set aside for glorifying His Father. He could have been exempt and gone elsewhere. He could have communicated with God wandering in the flowered fields or hiking the hills. He could have enjoyed the company of family and friends, but instead, He chose to worship God in His house with His people.

There are many people who have given up on church attendance, and a new generation of what's called "nones" has arisen. This term comes from those who respond to surveys about religion with "atheist, agnostic, or nothing in particular", and are combined into a category called "religiously unaffiliated", widely known as "nones". They believe in their own version of God, a supreme being who watches over them and who will receive them into His kingdom after death. That's the biggest lie the devil has spread, and, sadly, many of the nones will not realize it until it's too late.

If weekly worship in God's house was important for Jesus, then shouldn't it be our priority, too?

Psalm 122:1 – I rejoiced with those who said to me, "Let us go to the house of the Lord." (NIV)

Matthew 18:20 – For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them. (NIV)

Point to ponder: How often do I attend church on Sundays? What would Jesus do?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, many of us have made up our own image of a god who is an indulgent father or grandfather, who lets us do what we want, and whose infinite compassion will overlook our lack of faith. You never said that. You never taught it. You never lived that way, either. Teach us with Your astounding knowledge, and guide us back into Your Father's house on a weekly basis, so that we may truly be Your followers and God's servants. In Your holy name, we pray. Amen.