“As was His custom,” early in His ministry, Jesus went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day” and sat down. Then, He “stood up to read” (Luke 4:16). He read from “the book of the prophet Isaiah” (4:17), “then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down” (4:20). Why did Jesus stand up?
Upon their return to Jerusalem after captivity, the children of Israel rebuilt the temple and then the walls. In Nehemiah 8, “All the people gathered together as one man…Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly…[and] he read from it in the open square…from morning until midday” (8:1-3). When Ezra “stood on a platform” and “opened” the Book, “all the people stood up…and the people stood in their place” (8:7). On the 24th day, “they stood up in their place and read from the Book of the Law of the Lord their God for one-fourth of the day” (9:3). Why did the people stand up?
When the children of Israel had finally tired of serving “Eglon king of Moab eighteen years,” they “cried out to the Lord,” and the Lord raised up Ehud to deliver them (Judg. 3:12-15). When Ehud came to confront Eglon, the king “was sitting upstairs in his cool private chambers.” When Ehud said, “I have a message from God for you,” Judges 3:20 states that the king “arose from his seat.” Why did King Eglon stand up?
When the priests brought the Ark of the Covenant into Solomon’s temple, “the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord” (1 Kgs. 8:11). “Then Solomon spoke: ‘The Lord said He would dwell in the dark cloud. I have surely built You an exalted house, And a place for You to dwell in forever.’ Then the king turned around and blessed the whole assembly of Israel, while all the assembly of Israel was standing” (8:12-14). Why did the people stand up?
At the dedication of the house of God, when the ark of God was brought into the temple of God, the children of God stood because they were in the presence of God! Awe for the Almighty! Respect for the Redeemer! In the presence the Supreme One, sitting and reclining is not an option!
So, then why did Jesus stand up to read? Why did the people stand up when Ezra read? For the very same reason that they stood up when the ark was brought into the temple—when the Word of the Lord was read, the people knew they were in the presence of the Lord! The same awe and respect exhibited for the Supreme One was equally exhibited for His Word! When the Word of God is being read, God is speaking to us. How much awe and respect do you show?