John 4:20-24 NLT
So tell me, why is it that you Jews insist that Jerusalem is the only place of worship, while we Samaritans claim it is here at Mount Gerizim, where our ancestors worshiped?" [21] Jesus replied, "Believe me, dear woman, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem. [22] You Samaritans know very little about the One you worship, while we Jews know all about Him, for salvation comes through the Jews. [23] But the time is coming-indeed it's here now-when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship Him that way. [24] For God is Spirit, so those who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth."
Fancy explaining true worship to the local "loose" woman!
Yet that's what Jesus did.
He didn't bang on about repenting, although He did point out the mistakes she had made in her sexual liaisons.
He saw through the deviant behaviour, that had led to so many broken relationships, to the spiritual hunger in her inmost being.
He knew her desire for true worship and belonging and showed her the Way to achieve it.
The world, however, is all about emotions - the sensational highs from sex, alcohol or even drugs - "if it feels good, do it!" The media thrusts this at us from every direction, pandering to our emotions.
So, something struck me about the passage above this morning - when Jesus was defining worship, He totally bypassed emotions.
He said clearly that it is not confined to a place (like Jerusalem or even a church building) - nor is it something that tugs at our heart strings.
The worship that God desires from us should emanate from our spirit and must be based on the Truth (which is found in Jesus).
The good thing is: I don't have to feel all "gooey" and sentimental in order to give the Lord true worship.
From my spirit, the essential me, I can offer praise regardless of my emotions.
I may be falling apart at the seams emotionally, but still know that God loves me enough to die for me and hence offer grateful thanks from the altar of my broken heart.
Perhaps I need to examine the source of my times of worship. Is it based solely on emotions? Is it really true of what I believe? Is it based on God's Word?
Father God, I KNOW that You are good and that You care for my life on a moment by moment basis. You deserve my absolute devotion and worship. I give it gladly.
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