Worship happens anytime God’s people express their hearts to Him in such a way that He is pleased. The purpose is purely relational; for God to enjoy our sincere love and devotion and we, in turn, enjoy His love, and bask in some measure of His awesome power and glory by being in His presence.
But there are side effects. One such side effect of sincere worship is its magnetic attraction for those seeking God or spiritual truth.
One day Jesus was talking to such a seeker, Nicodemus, a Jewish teacher of the Law. He reminded him of a time in Jewish history when the Israelites were roaming the desert in search of the land God promised them. At one point there was a plague of poisonous snakes in the camp, and people were dying from their venom. God told Moses to make a bronze image of a snake and put it on a wooden pole in the center of the camp. He promised Moses and the people that anyone afflicted with a snake bit would find healing if they just came to look upon that metal serpent.
An odd form of healing indeed, but full of spiritual symbolism that could not be fully appreciated by those Israelites in Moses’ time. They had to perform this bizarre act to gain healing, but must have thought it was a crazy thing to do. Yes, they probably understood that the serpent was a symbol of sin from their knowledge of the Creation story and man’s fall into sin by the temptation of Satan in the form of a serpent. This was probably good enough for them to realize their need of repentance for doubting God on their journey in the wilderness.
However, it was almost 1800 later that the full meaning of the serpent raised on a pole would reveal its complete and powerful truth. Jesus, the son of God, would come to live briefly among men for the primary purpose to be raised up on another piece of wood, a Roman cross, as the one bearing the ultimate consequences and punishment for the sins of mankind. With this profound and all-important act, He would reverse the curse on humanity that was introduced by that original serpent.
Jesus wanted Nicodemus to understand the significance of who He was by revealing this profound symbolism. When an Israelite in Moses’ day received a snake bite, he understood his death was immanent; and his only thought was to make it to the center of the camp before it was too late – to find healing, to find life. Likewise, any man or woman who gets to the place where they understand their soul is hopelessly sick, and death (physical or spiritual) is at their door, they are ready to try anything that offers hope of a cure. And it is the job of God's people to keep Jesus raised high so a sick world can find the healing it needs – before it is too late.
One way (certainly not the only way) – for Jesus to be raised up and become highly visible to a lost world, is when God’s people worship him passionately. This cannot be our only effort in evangelism, because many who need Jesus most will never see Christians worship because they would never go to church in their present condition. They may assume church is a boring ritual with little real power. Sadly – let’s be honest - some church worship services can be that way.
However, when a seeker is among us in worship, and they see people all around them caught up in pouring their hearts out in praise and worship to God, it is a moving experience. If they are seeking spiritual healing – their spirit will automatically know they are in the right place and immediately want what we have – a real connection to a powerful and loving God.
This is one of my main thoughts each week when planning worship services. It is also what I had in mind when I designed the banner for our worship website (probably at the top of this page you’re looking at!) I’m imagining Jesus being lifted up and His people engaged in passionate expressions of worship. I know this is God’s heart, and it makes Him smile. It is also a magnet for the lost.
For His Glory,
Dave
But there are side effects. One such side effect of sincere worship is its magnetic attraction for those seeking God or spiritual truth.
One day Jesus was talking to such a seeker, Nicodemus, a Jewish teacher of the Law. He reminded him of a time in Jewish history when the Israelites were roaming the desert in search of the land God promised them. At one point there was a plague of poisonous snakes in the camp, and people were dying from their venom. God told Moses to make a bronze image of a snake and put it on a wooden pole in the center of the camp. He promised Moses and the people that anyone afflicted with a snake bit would find healing if they just came to look upon that metal serpent.
An odd form of healing indeed, but full of spiritual symbolism that could not be fully appreciated by those Israelites in Moses’ time. They had to perform this bizarre act to gain healing, but must have thought it was a crazy thing to do. Yes, they probably understood that the serpent was a symbol of sin from their knowledge of the Creation story and man’s fall into sin by the temptation of Satan in the form of a serpent. This was probably good enough for them to realize their need of repentance for doubting God on their journey in the wilderness.
However, it was almost 1800 later that the full meaning of the serpent raised on a pole would reveal its complete and powerful truth. Jesus, the son of God, would come to live briefly among men for the primary purpose to be raised up on another piece of wood, a Roman cross, as the one bearing the ultimate consequences and punishment for the sins of mankind. With this profound and all-important act, He would reverse the curse on humanity that was introduced by that original serpent.
Jesus wanted Nicodemus to understand the significance of who He was by revealing this profound symbolism. When an Israelite in Moses’ day received a snake bite, he understood his death was immanent; and his only thought was to make it to the center of the camp before it was too late – to find healing, to find life. Likewise, any man or woman who gets to the place where they understand their soul is hopelessly sick, and death (physical or spiritual) is at their door, they are ready to try anything that offers hope of a cure. And it is the job of God's people to keep Jesus raised high so a sick world can find the healing it needs – before it is too late.
One way (certainly not the only way) – for Jesus to be raised up and become highly visible to a lost world, is when God’s people worship him passionately. This cannot be our only effort in evangelism, because many who need Jesus most will never see Christians worship because they would never go to church in their present condition. They may assume church is a boring ritual with little real power. Sadly – let’s be honest - some church worship services can be that way.
However, when a seeker is among us in worship, and they see people all around them caught up in pouring their hearts out in praise and worship to God, it is a moving experience. If they are seeking spiritual healing – their spirit will automatically know they are in the right place and immediately want what we have – a real connection to a powerful and loving God.
This is one of my main thoughts each week when planning worship services. It is also what I had in mind when I designed the banner for our worship website (probably at the top of this page you’re looking at!) I’m imagining Jesus being lifted up and His people engaged in passionate expressions of worship. I know this is God’s heart, and it makes Him smile. It is also a magnet for the lost.
For His Glory,
Dave