Reflections On Worship

I think that a lot of teachings on worship muddy the waters and make it more confusing. Years ago, as I led worship at another church, they claimed to have a “revelation” of worship. They followed a philosophy called the “Tabernacle of David” to supposedly gain access to the “Holy of Holies”. The way this teaching went, you “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise.” That was the outer court. Then you eventually make your way through the inner court through a series of songs to the “Holy Place” and finally into the “Holy of holies” where the real worship and communion in the Lord’s presence was to take place.

The real meaning went like this: “Sing the fast songs first, dance around and clap, do medium tempo songs to bridge the gap into the slow songs toward the end. Then I have an ethereal experience that feels great.”

Everyone would scream “No! That’s not what I meant!” But really it was. One Sunday I sang the slow songs first about giving thanks to the Lord then moved to faster songs that were strong and heart-felt. Some came up to me and told me they didn’t understand where I was leading them. When I asked them to consider the words and that the words fit the teaching they didn’t know what to say. It didn’t fit the profile.

Worship is not about song order or (as some do) waving flags. I think about the example of Abraham. Abraham laid his bound son on an altar on Mount Moriah in obedience to God’s call and prepared to end the young man’s life. But what he said to the servants was that He and Isaac were going forward to “worship”, then come back. Abraham was going to lay down the most precious son that he loved and was planning to offer him to God. Now that is worship. Not raised hands or song selection. Laid-down lives and surrender. In that situation God graciously provided a substitute ram to take Isaac’s place, which was a type of Christ.

As I read through chapter 4 of Giglio’s book I was again reminded that what Jesus took upon himself at the cross was the penalty for my judgment.

I can muse all day long about how great He is and reflect on His immensity in Creation. I can see how small I am in relation to the great distances between stars and the mind-bending size of multiple galaxies and star-forming clusters. That’s exciting and He is worthy to be praised for all that to be sure. But when the Holy Spirit makes real to my heart about the judgment that I truly deserve and how Jesus loved me enough to take that judgment freely upon His shoulders at the cross when He didn’t have to, I’m struck with a greater awe than the size of the universe. The one shows great power, to be sure. But the other shows a great love beyond reason.

I worship at the Cross. Hebrews tells us that we have boldness to enter into the Holiest of All by the blood of Jesus (Heb. 10:19). Not jumping through hoops. Nothing generated through song order. But open entry, by a new and living way, which He has consecrated for us, through His flesh, we draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith. He provided His blood and took our judgment. That causes me to respond with gratitude and the living sacrifice of myself at His altar.

Worship demands my entire devotion, my all. No reserve, nothing held back. I’m leaning to lay it all down before Him and give him what He so rightfully deserves: everything! --Chris