Worship True Worship (Part 1) | July 12, 2023

First published Wednesday, September 23, 2020

19 The woman said to Him, “Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship.”21 Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. 22 You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. 23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”25 The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When He comes, He will tell us all things.” 26 Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He.” (John 4:19-26)

This woman had an unsatisfying life and was providentially born among people who were considered spiritually inferior to God’s chosen people. She referenced those “religious things” that were familiar, like the differences between Samaritan and Jewish worship (Samaritans worshipping on Mount Gerizim where blessings, and cursings were announced in Deuteronomy 11:29 and 27:12) and Jewish people worship in Jerusalem. This woman, “thirsty” for true worship now, took this opportune time to determine which one is superior. Jesus did not coddle her but affirmed that salvation is coming from the Jews. He then turned his attention to what true worship is. True worship is not in geography but worshipping the Father in Spirit and truth. Now, this woman who was dissatisfied with her meager life, has the Answer. For Jesus did not point her to the future solution, He referenced the “here and now” saying, “Yet a time is coming and has now come.” He confirmed this “now” in His response to her verbalized hope in a coming Messiah by saying, “I am he” (John 4:23; 26). Jesus has brought the kingdom of heaven to her, worship changing her life forever

Prayer: Dear Lord, there may have been some times when I have mistaken my style of worship for true worship. I understand that true worship is worshipping Christ in spirit and in truth. Holy Spirit, teach me to worship, so that it pleases God. In Jesus Name, receive my worship, Amen.