THE WAY WE WORSHIP

THE WAY WE WORSHIP!

Reading: John 4:20-24

John 4:24

24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

           The woman had been married five times and was now simply living with her sixth partner. When Jesus pointed out this painful and sinful fact she felt uncomfortable and tried to “detour” the conversation away from herself to how and where one should worship. It is always easier to discuss religion than sin.

           She pointed to Mount Gerizim at the foot of which Sychar was situated. It was there that Sanballat built a temple 332 years before the birth of Jesus. The Samaritans were half Jew but according to Josephus Jupiter was worshipped here.

           I recently saw marvelous pictures of a well decorated stage in a modern church. Geometric designs with multicolored lighting made it quite impressive. It was intended to create an atmosphere. The pastor of this church is a good man with a good heart but something was missing. I saw no place for a choir. I saw no place to baptize converts. I saw no cross to remind me of Christ’s sacrifice. I saw a theater! Perhaps I am just splitting hairs, but it would not satisfy my soul hunger.

           Jesus cuts to the chase and proclaims that neither Gerizim nor Jerusalem held any great significance. Jesus revealed her spiritual ignorance: she did not know who to worship where to worship, or how to worship!

           Warren Wiersbe comments: “In spite of her ignorance, there was one truth this woman did know: the Messiah was coming and would reveal the secrets of hearts. Where did she learn this truth? We do not know, but that seed had lain buried in her heart until that very hour, and now it was going to bear fruit.”

Dear Lord, it is Sunday morning! Please let me worship you in spirit and in truth. AMEN