In the last blog I referenced James 1:27 from the ERV “The worship that God wants is this: caring for orphans or widows…”  It was a little strange that I remembered the verse that way because I have never used the Easy to Read Version before.  Most versions are translated “the pure and undefiled religion that God wants is…”  The Greek word threskia in the verse means a ceremonial observance, religion, or worship.  For the past few days, the LORD has been speaking to me about worship.  And I realized that I don’t really know what worship is.

Typically, in the church, we think of worship as whatever we do together on Sunday (or Saturday) mornings.  This generally includes a time of song in which we stand and praise God, followed by prayer that may include bowing our heads to repent and make supplications for our families, our church, and our community and/or nation.  In some churches we stand for the reading of the Word.  In a few churches there is still kneeling in preparation for receiving communion.  And of course, we listen respectfully to the sermon or message. These are all valuable, but are they worship?

In Luke 4:7-8 Jesus is with Satan in the wilderness. Satan shows Jesus all the kingdoms of the world and offers to restore it all to Jesus’ authority if He will worship the devil instead of God.  Jesus replied by quoting Deuteronomy 6:13 saying “You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only shall you serve.” In Deuteronomy, that word in place of worship is yare’ which means to fear or revere.  

The word for worship in Hebrew is shachah which means to prostrate yourself, pay homage to royalty, bow down, humbly beseech, make obeisance or reverence.  Not having a monarchy, Americans are not accustomed to bowing to anyone, including our President.  The Bible forbids worship or bowing down to golden statues, carved idols, and false gods.  But it also commands us to obey the laws of our government or to suffer the consequences (Romans 13).  Jesus told his disciples to render to Caesar what is Caesar’s, meaning to pay their taxes and follow Roman laws, but not to bow down and worship him, because worship belongs only to God.

How does worship relate to James’ exhortation to take care of widows and orphans?  There is an example of Jesus getting down on His knees. He did it on the night before He was arrested, to wash the dirty feet of His closest friends.  It was such a lowly task that none of the disciples humbled themselves to do it for one another, or even for Jesus.  He set them an example of worshiping the Father by serving others.  In Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus, sitting on His throne with the nations gathered before Him, separates the people into two groups with the sheep on His right and those He refers to as goats on the left.  Both groups essentially confessed that they never knew Jesus saying “When did we see you, when did we feed you, when did we visit you?” He declares that those who fed the hungry, clothed the needy, and visited the prisoners and the sick, did it for Him.  Those sheep will be blessed of the Father and will inherit eternal life because of their love.  Those on His left who did not know Him and who showed no compassion to the poor and needy will go to everlasting punishment.

Revelation 2 and 3 describe the condition of the seven churches at the end of times.  One church has lost their first love.  Another’s works are dead.  Some are tolerating idolatry, false doctrines, and sexual immorality in their ranks.  One is lukewarm toward Jesus.   Only one church has been faithful, but it is barely holding on.  All our church traditions and good deeds, done with reverence and honor are surely a part of worship. And yet, I have been impressed that there is something more needed.  When was the last time I prostrated myself before the LORD and why is that important? 

Early this morning I woke up wrestling with this issue.  I got out of bed and knelt down with my head to the floor.  I began to praise the LORD.  From that lowly position, I could see Jesus as a King.  Forty years ago, I asked Jesus to save me.  He was able to do so, because He and only He has the power, authority, and love to buy my broken life back from the consequences of my choices and to restore me to a Father who created and loves me.  He is worthy of my honor and I owe Him my obedience, and my life.  That is worship.  I can do many good works and I can praise or pray in many positions, but when I do any of these things without honor for the King, they are for naught.  When my perspective gets lukewarm, I need only to fall down before Him and restore my first love.