Demands of Jesus - Worship GOD - 3

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus

In the previous chapter, Worshiping GOD - 2, we learnt that Jesus introduced a new form of worship which does not place importance of the geographical and historical importance of the place or temples, but whether we worship God in accordance with the truth and whether our spirit is authentically awakened and moved by that truth.

What is worship in truth? What is the truth?

Now, lets learn on how to worship God in accordance with the truth...

ALL WORSHIP SHOULD BE THROUGH JESUS

AND OF JESUS

The key new truth is that worship now happens through Jesus. He is the temple where we meet God. This is true first because He poured out His blood "for the forgiveness of sins" (Matt. 26:28) and "gave His life as a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45) and opened the way through His own crucified and risen body for us to be reconciled with God (John 3:16,36). There is no way that sinners could offer acceptable worship to God without having Jesus' blood as a  go-between with God.

It's true that worship now happens through Jesus because He Himself is God. He is not simply the mediator of worship between us and the Father; He is also the one to be worshiped. He made this claim directly and indirectly. He forgave sins, which only God can do (Mark 2:5-11). He accepted worship from His disciples (Matt. 14:33; 28:9). He claimed eternal preexistence with God: "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am" (John 8:58). He said He was one with the Father: "Whoever has seen me has seen the Father" (John 14:9). "I and the Father are one" (John 10:30). So all should "honor the Son, just as they honor the Father" (John 5:23). Therefore, all worship "in truth" will be worship of Jesus and through Jesus. For "whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him" (John 5:23).

Dear Brothers & Sisters

I now stop here to let you ponder on the above words. We now learnt what is the truth that we should worship. In the next session, lets learn what is this worship in spirit.

"The Lord bless you and keep you; 

The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; 

The Lord lift His countenance upon you, And give you peace." - Numbers 6:24-26