I heard someone state once in regard to the situation in the Middle East that, ‘it’s all about real estate”. On one level this is true. If you have only a secularist or geo-political worldview then clearly, “it’s all about real estate”. However, as valid as that point may be, it is only a superficial evaluation of the conflict. The issue in my estimation is far more then merely a land squabble. It’s not about real estate per se. It’s not merely about land. It’s what gives that place; it’s what gives that locality in the minds of people its value. In the minds of religious people it’s the place of worship.
We can see this in the Gospel of John chapter 4 where we find the well-known account of Jesus stopping at Jacobs well and engaging a Samaritan woman in a conversation about the religious/political situation of their day.
In relating the story John gives us an important piece of historical information when he tells us, ”[For] Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.” (Jn.4:9) In Jesus’ day it was Samaritans, today it’s Palestinians, Arabs- Muslims, but the issue is still the same; it’s all about worship.
In verse 20 the woman states; "Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship." It’s not just because the Jew’s or the Arabs, the Muslims or the Palestinians simply want a nice seaside resort along the Mediterranean Sea, it’s far more than that. It’s the place of worship. Where “our father’s” worshipped. Where God once revealed Himself. In Verse 11 she says to Jesus, “…Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank from it himself, as well as his sons and his livestock?" In other words what she is saying is, “this is a Holy Place, this is a place of reverence”, “this is a religious site”; “Jacob our forefather dug this well and he was a prophet of God, furthermore, he was the progenitor of our people. Who are you Jesus?”
This whole conversation is heading in one direction. Moreover, make no mistake about it; this whole world is heading in one direction willingly or not. Ultimately, it’s all about worship.
Therefore, Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father.” (V.21)
In the course of this dialogue Jesus brings forth New Testament truth and reality concerning worship. And, it’s simply this. True worship cannot be localized. True worship cannot be legalized. True worship cannot be legislated.
I use these words very precisely and specifically. The reason being, that is precisely what the radical Islamic world is trying to do (not to mention some circles of Christianity, but that’s another issue). They are trying to localize, legalize, and legislate worship. When any “religious system” does this it has violated the true meaning of worship. True worship is not about a location – “Not on this mountain. Not on that mountain”! Not in this city or that city! It’s not about Jerusalem. It’s not about Mecca. It’s not about Rome, or even Tulsa, Oklahoma!
So often it can be heard, “Gotta go there to worship God!” “Gotta come here to worship God!” I’m not saying it’s bad or wrong to “go someplace” to worship God. It’s vitally important to have a local church to belong to. There’s nothing wrong with going to a location. The psalmist said, “Praise the LORD! Praise God in His sanctuary…(Psa 150:1 NASB). Then he goes on to say, “…Praise Him in His mighty expanse…” Go out into the woods! Go out into the fields! Go out into the highways! Go out into the byways! Go down to the beach! Go down to the Park! However, wherever we go - worship God in Spirit and in truth! "God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." (John 4:24) True Worship is not, and cannot be created by religious ceremony, but is birthed from a human heart set aflame by the passion of the Holy Spirit.
It’s not about a location or a space, or some
specific place; it’s about the location of your heart!
Worship is not about a place; it’s about a person! God! The Living God! The God who is Spirit, not a space or a place. Moreover, there is only one God. And, He Identified Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. How does this all relate? How is this relevant to the current crisis in the world? What is going on right now in the world? It’s all about worship!
Jesus stated it quite clearly: "You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews.” (John 4:22)
· Sorry! Mr. Arafat - salvation is of the Jews.
· Sorry! Mr. Hussein - salvation is of the Jews.
· Sorry! Osama - salvation is of the Jews.
· Sorry! Mr. Mohammed - salvation is of the Jews.
And in particular, a very specific JEW, Jesus the Christ! Moreover, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12 NIV)
The statement that there is no salvation "in any other" reveals the exclusive nature of worshipping in spirit and in truth. There was, and there is, "no other name" through which men can be saved than the name of Jesus. Only faith in Jesus of Nazareth who is “the Truth” (Jn14:6) saves Jew or Gentile.
So? What is going on now in the world? It’s all about worship!
"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.” (John 4:23)
What is worship?
The worship the Father is seeking isn’t about forms, liturgies, buildings, mountains, places, localities, or land. There are no formulas for true worship because true worship is a function of the heart, and the heart will find expression in a variety of external forms. Worship is not about the sacrifice of our liturgy; it is about the sacrifice of our life. Worship is not about the sound of music; it is about the sound of our heart. Worship is not about the bending of the knee; it is about the bending of our will.
The predominant Greek word for worship is “Proskuneo”. The literal meaning of the word is to face towards, bend over, and kiss. The picture in the Greek mind is that of a little dog running up to it’s master and licking it’s master’s feet and hands. Those of you who are pet owners probably know this scene a thousand times over! You come home from work or wherever you’ve been, and your St. Bernard comes bounding around the corner and jumps all over you licking your face, your feet, and just slobbering all over you! That dog is rejoicing! “ My Master! My Master is home! The hands that feed me! The hands that lead me! The hands that guide me!” That’s the picture of bible worship! Worship is nothing less that the ultimate expression of love and dependency. Worship is about a living, vital relationship with a living God. A person-to-person experience and relationship with the Creator of the universe who wants us to call Him “Daddy”. This creator is seeking worshippers to worship Him. Jesus phrased it this way; “for such people the Father seeks…” (Jn.4:23 NASB) Please note that Jesus specifically said, “The Father…” He didn’t say, “God is seeking worshippers” He didn’t even say, “God is seeking worship”. That would have been an open-ended statement. However, He was very specific in what he said, “the Father”, implying relationship. The Father is seeking worshippers! God is not seeking merely worship, but worshippers! He is not interested in some form. Some liturgy. Some ritual! He is seeking sons, and daughters, and lovers!
Where does true worship begin?
On the other hand, perhaps, the question is better framed this way. How does one begin to truly worship?
When God created man He created him in His image. Part of that image is the freedom of choice. God gave man the freedom to choose - to choose whether to worship Him or not. Worship is nothing less than love. You can’t legislate love. True love involves liberty. True love involves freedom.
What do I mean? Where am I going with this? Let me explain it this way. If God created us as robots’ or machines – could we show him love? Let’s say you built or created a computerized robot, and programmed it to serve you. You even loaded it with the newest version of the “Thou shalt love” software, version 3.0! Moreover, you programmed it to speak tenderly to you, to do all kinds of things for you, and you made it so that it could never possibly do anything wrong. Now, you might marvel at your creation, you might say, “wow what a great robot”, look at what my hands have created! It is good! Nevertheless, since by necessity it could only do what you programmed it to do, therefore by that very fact, you know that it could never “love” and therefore you would never find the satisfaction and companionship of love from your creation, it would be impossible. I might “love” my computer – but my computer cannot love me back! It cannot not love, because it cannot choose for itself, it can only operate the way you programmed it and not by any choice or volition of it’s own. The bible tells us “God is love”. God loves the things He created. However, God is not only “loving”, He is a “lover” and love seeks a response to love. Love seeks to be freely and only freely reciprocated. I can love someone, but I can’t make them love me back!
God is seeking lovers.
Jesus said so; "But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers (i.e. lovers) will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. (John 4:23)
The Father is seeking not merely worship but worshippers! He’s not seeking form without heart; liturgy without passion; or service without love. As I have already intimated, true love, by necessity is a choice. True love can only exist in an atmosphere of liberty.
Now, here’s the crux of the matter. Why is there evil in the world? Is there something wrong with the programming? No, that’s the point. God didn’t “program” us to forcibly love Him. When God gave us free will He took “the risk” if you will, of allowing evil to exist. He gave us the choice. It’s the only way love can be genuine.
A recent cover edition of Newsweek asked the question everyone seems to be asking, “Why do they (the Muslim world) hate us?” Today a radical form of Islam is rapidly spreading throughout much of the world – and in America as well – that regards Christianity and Judaism, as well as Western culture with its freedoms as Satanic, and is intent on destroying them. Radical Islam hates our western society because we have liberty. God gives this liberty to worship freely. And yes, liberty brings with it the possibility of Good or evil – of obedience or disobedience.
Is it true that our society has produced filth and decadence around the globe? Yes.
Is it true that our society is materialistic – indulging in its blessings while forgetting the blesser? Yes.
Is it true that our society has neglected God days without number? Yes. Nevertheless, that’s exactly the risk God took when He created free will moral agents. The Father will not force anyone to love and worship Him. He desires that we “freely” choose to love and worship Him, because that alone is true and honest worship. He is not looking for the service of slavery and religious bondage but the service of a love freely given.
Why does Radical Islam hate the west? Because it doesn’t know nor understand the True and Living God of the bible, from which western civilization has it’s foundations. It’s about choice and liberty. And ultimately, it’s all about worship.
As I have already stated, true worship cannot be legislated, legalized, or localized. That is what the “Islamic world” is trying to do. The Islamic world is trying to bring about worship through legislation. The Father is seeking to bring about worship through liberation. The Islamic world is seeking to conform society to its’ values through legalistic worship. The Father is seeking to transform society through true spiritual worship. The Islamic world is trying to enforce worship through oppression. The Father is seeking to invoke worship through Salvation. And that Salvation is found only in Jesus Christ. Jesus said to that lost but seeking woman, "You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship…” (Jn.4:22) Do you know what - or rather whom you worship? My friends, it’s all about worship.