"A highway shall be there and it shall be called  The Holy Way" Isaiah 35:8

 Worship
Fr. Edwin Stube

The Old Testament speaks of worship primarily in three senses:

1. Bowing down (shachah).  Exodus 12:27; 34:8.
2. Offering sacrifice (zabach). Exodus 32:8; Genesis 22.
3. Entering the presence of the Lord. Exodus 24. This seems to work best if #1 is observed first.

The Psalms are remarkable songs of praise, obviously inspired and sometimes dictated by God. They contain considerable
revelation concerning the...

1. Innermost feelings of the psalmist.
2. The purposes of God.
3. Future events.

Old Testament worship is largely superseded by the new. The animal sacrifices are replaced by Christ’s perfect sacrifice. New worship patterns are established by the Last Supper and by a new meaning of worship in the Spirit.

The Gospels say surprisingly little about worship. When the disciples asked Jesus how to pray, He gave them a set prayer, “Our Father . . . .” He did not elaborate. This must have seemed very strange to the disciples, since they had observed Jesus’ prayer life from afar and three of them had observed it close up when they were with Him on the mountain; but He had sworn them to secrecy on that occasion. Those who could stay awake observed His agony in the garden. The disciples knew that Jesus’ prayer life was intense, but they had little participation in it. Should we conclude that Jesus regarded them as unable to enter into His style of worship before His sacrifice and the coming of the Holy Spirit?

The death and resurrection of Christ is the dividing line.

Before the Passion:

1. Christ’s sacrifice was not yet manifest.
    a. The Old Testament animal sacrifices were still in effect and represent appropriate worship..
    b. The Last Supper instituted the Holy Communion.  Liturgical worship, as we know it, became appropriate, but awaited
Christ’s sacrifice and the gift of the Holy Spirit for implementation.

2. The Holy Spirit had not yet been given to the Church.
    a. The baptism in the Spirit was promised by John the Baptist. His coming as the Paraclete, another Comforter, was promised in Jesus’ last discourses to His disciples.
    b. Jesus had been able to worship in the Spirit all along, but this only became available to His followers after Pentecost.

After the Passion and Pentecost

1. Spiritual worship becomes possible.
    a. Christians can pray supernaturally in the Spirit.
    b. The Holy Spirit leads worship, providing words and works.
    c.  The Spirit gives revelation through visions, and gifts of the Spirit.
    d.  The power of Jesus becomes manifest in the lives of the believers.
2. Daily celebration of the Eucharist becomes appropriate.
    a. Christ’s perfect sacrifice is remembered and represented.
    b. Operating on Jesus’ level enables us to perceive the spiritual meaning of the Eucharist.
    c. We offer our bodies as a living sacrifice in the Lord’s service.

Jesus told the woman in Samaria: “The hour is coming, and now is when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth” (John 4:23). True worship is worship in righteousness. Truth refers to what is right, legitimate, and proper. Jesus, ultimately, is the Truth. His words are true. He, Who is the Word of God, is true. Grace and truth become a unity in Him. Worshiping Him in truth means that we have to accept His righteousness and holiness. We worship in the beauty of holiness. Repentance and faith are prerequisites for true worship. Worship in truth also means that He Who is the Truth is in charge of worship. We speak and act in accordance with His instructions. We do not invent our own worship patterns.

Worship in the Spirit involves prayer in the Spirit with words given by the Spirit, whether in tongues or other manifestations of the Spirit. The Spirit bears witness to Jesus so that we forget about ourselves and totally focus on Him. We yield fully to the Spirit. Human effort decreases to zero. Worship may go beyond words altogether. He knows our needs better than we do. He also knows how we should pray and intercede. The Spirit knows the mind of God because He is the Spirit of God (Romans 8:26, 27).

The Gospel of John defines two distinct levels of living — the natural or earthly and the spiritual or heavenly.
There are different levels in worship. In praise and thanksgiving, we are still using our own words. Praise acclaims God for Who He is; thanksgiving acclaims Him for what He does. Even at these levels, we need to yield to His direction. Adoration goes beyond our words and thoughts to join us with Him and submit ourselves entirely to Him. We stand in awe and wonder before His presence. Worship properly enters in behind the veil so that our spiritual eyes can perceive Him as He is.

The Letter to the Hebrews explains very carefully how New Testament worship has superseded Old Testament worship. Christ has become a new and eternal High Priest, offering the sacrifice of His own life, entering into the heavenly temple of which the earthly is only a shadow. He opens the way for us to enter by His body and blood into the presence of the living God.

There are many faces of worship; it is not the same twice. It may follow a predetermined pattern or it may be totally spontaneous. There are times of exuberance, shouting, dancing, singing new songs; there are also deep times of silence in which there is nothing but His wonderful presence.

Possible results of worship are:
1. Divine revelation.
2. Manifestation of the power of God.
3. Knowing God as He is.
4. Union with Him.
5. His glory being poured out upon us and those for whom we pray.

As you raise your hands in worship upon Mount Zion, the glory of God will descend. The rulers of the earthly governments will be brought into confusion. The cities will crumble before your eyes. In the midst of the rubble, you will see the sons of God stand straight and tall with the light of God upon their faces.
The Lord is raising up a mighty army of warrior priests to stand upon Mount Zion, committing themselves to worship in Spirit and truth.

The trumpets are sounding to call this army to come together in unity, sacrificing themselves totally to this last battle and to God’s ultimate purposes in the cities. Many will be snatched from the fire.

When all around you is crumbling, you will see the miraculous protection and provision of your God.

Stand firm upon Mount Zion. Many will come to you to inquire about the Lord. Keep your hands up toward God in worship. Others will be drawn into that worship. Before the day of His coming, people from every tribe and language will come into the Kingdom.

Your task is to stand in the light of God. When He is high and lifted up, He will draw many to Himself.

The final act of the drama awaits the readiness of His people.


Last modified   January 16, 2001.