Eiōtha; The Behavior & Habit of Jesus

Mark 10:1 “And he arose from thence, and cometh into the coasts of Judaea by the farther side of Jordan: and the people resort unto him again; and, as he was wont, he taught them again.”

The people are drawn to Jesus because they observe something that is attractive to them.

resort = go along, come together

again = in unison

Question:

Why are you here this morning?

What has drawn you into this space?

What do you want from this time?

Are you willing for transformation to take place in your heart and mind or life based on what happens in the next 20 - 30 minutes?

What is your agenda?

The Pharisees clearly had an agenda: divorce, but what did the people want? They wanted to be taught, they wanted to be healed.

wont = eiōtha, to be accustomed

The people were attracted to Jesus Behavior and Habit; eiōtha

Behavior and Habit; how are they different?

Behavior:

action and reaction, or conduct in response to stimulus

a combination of thoughts, emotions and beliefs

external factors; society, cultural influences, environment

variable; diverse from person to person

adaptive; can change over time due to self-reflection, and willingness to change

Jesus Behavior:

moved by people, i.e. children Matthew 19:14 “But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”

did the work of the Father willingly. John 6:38 “For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.” and John 10:30 “I and my Father are one.”

Jesus was a man of prayer. He prayed at night, Luke 6:12 “And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.” he prayed in the morning, Mark 1:35 “And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.”

Jesus prayed before he ate, when he was weary, when he was tempted.

The difference between Jesus Behavior and ours is that his behavior was adaptive to who He is, not what society or circumstance dictated.

If we are going to be like Jesus, our behavior must be saturated in the Father, and the Son, Jesus Christ. Not money, not society, not your circumstance, not the people around you.

Habit:

routine or repetitive behavior performed automatically and unconsciously. i.e, making the bed, brushing your teeth, getting dressed.

it is behavior learned that becomes ingrained through repetition.

habits are governed by basal ganglia, a part of the brain responsible for automating repetitive actions.

characterized by stability and consistency.

can be good or bad. Cell phones, television, repeated sin can be bad. Making your bed, brushing your teeth, praying with your spouse, can be good.

Jesus Habits

JESUS had a habit of doing the will of the father. John 5:30 “I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.” John 4:34 “Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.”

YOU. Is your day from beginning to end, built around the repetitive habits of doing God’s will?

Example: Terry and I make the bed, drink coffee, and pray every morning.

JESUS had a habit of obeying God’s word. Matthew 4:4 “But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” John 15:10 “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.”

YOU. How many hours do you spend reading the bible each day? Week? Month?

Example:

Read the bible in a year

the Bible Project

JESUS had the habit of serving others. Mark 10:45 “For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” John 13:14–15 “If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.”

YOU. What are you doing to serve others? How much time are giving to serving those around you in big and little ways?

JESUS had the habit of

prayer and thanksgiving

compassion for the hurting

teaching and preaching

building relationships

JESUS habits were routine and repetitive behavior that were done in the name of the Father for the benefit of the people.

JESUS consistently paused to engage with the marginalized person, to listen to those who society had ignored.

YOU. Do you volunteer and give to charity because it is a habit of love, or because it is nothing more than apathy?

JESUS is inclusive. “He taught them again…” in unison. Pharisees, Disciples, and the people.

YOU. Have you made your interactions with people exclusive to what you believe, who you like, and a safe place, or are you willing to engage those who differ in color and opinion?

JESUS took time to pray and teach, even when the more urgent message of his pending death, which He tells the disciples about in vs. 33 was eminent.

YOU. Where are you spending the majority of your time?On your cell phone? In front of your television? Praying? Or spending time with others, telling others about Jesus?

This week, be aware of your behavior and habits.

What are you doing out of obligation, and what are you doing that is habit?

How much of your time is dictated by society, your cell phone, and your television?

How much of what you are doing is Christ centered; prayer, quiet time, time in scripture

What do you need to do to create habits in these areas of your life; prayer, quiet time, time in scripture?

“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also…” where your time is, there will your heart be also.

eiōtha; The Behavior and Habit of Jesus Sermon