Jump Start # 75

Luke 22:39 “And He came out and proceeded, as was His custom, to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples also followed Him.” 

  This passage finds Jesus heading to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray his most fervent prayer. Judas had left and was returning with soldiers to arrest Jesus. The end is very near now for our Lord. This would be the last time He would be with His disciples before His death. Many rapid events will take place—a series of quick trials, standing before Pilate, then Herod, then Pilate again. The soldiers would violently abuse Him. He would be ridiculed and then nailed to the cross. All of this, to pay for our sins. Jesus proceeds to the Mount of Olives to pray. He will ask the Father to let the cup pass. He is willing to go through all of this if that is the desire of the Father. His heart is heavy. He will walk alone through this. Upon the cross, His Father will distance Himself from Jesus. What He is about to do is the greatest event in all of history. The impact is enormous. It changes eternity for thousands and thousands of souls. It is hard to imagine the thoughts racing through the mind and heart of Jesus.

  Luke tells us that Jesus went to the Mount of Olives, “as was His custom.” That is an interesting expression. It means “habit.” Jesus had the habit of going to the Mount of Olives. It’s hard to think of Jesus having “habits.” We generally think of negative things when it comes to habits, such as, eating with your elbows on the table, cracking your knuckles, or biting your nails. But here, Jesus had good habits. It was his custom to go and pray on the Mount of Olives.

  Earlier, Luke brings up the “customs” of Jesus. In the fourth chapter, we find, “And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up; and as was His custom, He entered the

synagogue on the Sabbath day and stood up to read” (4:16). Here, Jesus’ “custom” was to go to the synagogue to worship. Jesus was known by His spiritual habits. He was known to pray. He was known to worship. When Judas returned with the soldiers, he knew where to find Jesus. The Gospel of John records, “Now Judas also, who was betraying Him, knew the place, for Jesus had often met there with the disciples” (18:2). Judas knew right where to find Him. Why? He had the habit of meeting there and praying there.

  All of this brings us to this thought: How do people know you? What are your “customs” or habits? Are they the bad stuff? Known to be mean? Known to drive too fast? Known to smoke? Known to “blow your top” in anger? How about the good stuff, the spiritual stuff? Known to be at church services? Known to be someone you could count on? Known to be a ready answer to a Bible question? Known to help out when the call of duty arises?

  Habits aren’t life long sentences. We often make them that way because we just aren’t motivated to change much. But they don’t have to be. So if I don’t like the way I am, I can change. Not regular in my worship attendance, I can change that. Not one who goes to Bible classes much, I can change that. Not one to pray before I eat, I can change that. Not one to send cards to others or call and see how others are doing, I can change that.

  Getting going is hard to do, isn’t it? It’s hard to start exercising. For those that have been doing it for years, it’s a piece of cake. For others, it’s hard. It’s hard to save money. It’s hard to do many things. But you can. Many of you have been reading these Jump Starts every day since we started. Today is number 75. It’s become your “custom” hasn’t it?  You see, you can do things, you just didn’t know it!

  As was His custom…I like that!

 Roger