New Wine family and friends of New Wine,
In my reflections on Jesus’ life and ministry, as recorded in the gospels, two things have become clearer and clearer to me. Firstly, Jesus never seemed to hurry. Secondly, there was a clear rhythm in all He did. Jesus, the Son of God, is our Master, and therefore we cannot, but follow His unforced (unhurried) life rhythms.
‘Learning the unforced rhythms of His grace’, is a widely used expression in the Church of Jesus Christ. For me it means that I need to learn from Jesus, the wonder of His unforced and unhurried rhythms of life and grace. As an apprentice (disciple) of my Master, Jesus, His unhurried life rhythms need to become the pattern and rhythm of my life. Let me illustrate this by looking at examples of Jesus life and ministry in the gospels.
‘Jesus went to Nazareth… on the Sabbath day, He went into the synagogue, as was His custom. He stood up to read…’ (Luke 4:16). Part of Jesus life pattern and rhythm was to meet with God’s people in God’s house, and to share in worship and the study of the Word. This was a pattern for Him, at least every week, but perhaps daily when entering new towns. Is the pattern of regular worship and fellowship with the Body of Christ, part of my daily and weekly rhythm? If not, as apprentice of Jesus, should it not become part of my life rhythm in following Jesus?
‘Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and His disciples followed Him…’ (Luke 22:39). ‘Usually’ means that Jesus had a pattern/ a rhythm of spending time with His Father in a place, set apart from the noise of the world. It is interesting to note in the passages preceding and following on this verse, that Jesus was about to be handed over to be tried and then sentenced to death. Despite the enormity of the pressures and circumstances of His life at the time, He kept His unforced and unhurried rhythm of spending alone time with His Father. Is a dedicated, set apart time with Jesus, part of my daily rhythm in following Him? If nothing deterred Jesus, the Son of God- your Master and my Master- should it not be the same for me?
‘Do this in remembrance of me…’ (Luke 22:19). In the passage surrounding this text, Jesus is instituting what the church calls the glorious tradition of, ‘breaking bread’, ‘the Lord’s Supper’, or ‘Holy Communion’. It was in Jesus heart that believers, would often break bread and share the cup, in remembrance of and in proclamation of our glorious faith- that Jesus died and rose again to secure forgiveness and salvation and the gift of eternal life, for all who believe in Him and receive Him as Saviour and Lord. This was clearly in Jesus heart that it would become part of the life rhythm of the whole Church of Jesus Christ. Is it part of your life rhythm as an apprentice of Jesus? If not, should it not be?
I have only given you three examples, but the gospels are full of them. Why not read through one of the gospels, again, for yourself, and observe and learn from Jesus- the unforced and unhurried rhythms of His grace and life. As with the three examples above, and indeed in the many others in the gospel writings, you will notice that Jesus daily, weekly, and monthly rhythms enabled Him to be spontaneous and unhurried in the moment- He always had time for the unexpected ministry opportunities along the way and in the moment.
I am learning to value and appreciate the witness of believers who, in their practice of being
an apprentice of Jesus, follow a life pattern/rhythm over a long period of time, in one
direction. May we, likewise, take time to learn as the pattern of our lives: the unforced and
unhurried rhythms of His grace and life.
Bless you all!
David Stansbury