Scripture Reading: John 4:13-26
One of the subjects that arose in Jesus' conversation with the Samaritan woman was worship. The Samaritans had erected a temple on Mt. Gerizim so they would not have to go to Jerusalem to worship. Jesus' response was to talk about the nature of worship. True worship is not to be found in a particular place or in a particular form.
"But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth" (Jn 4:23,24).
Worship is something of an abbreviation of an old English word 'worthship.' To ascribe to God His worth is worship. Worship is not just the act of singing a song on Sunday morning or praying before you go to sleep at night. It is exulting in God, deep in our hearts, because of His value … worth … infinite worth.
True worship is an act involving both the head and the heart. Worship must be based on truth or it is not genuine worship … and worship must involve the affections of the heart or it is not genuine worship. The head without the heart is a lifeless creed that affects no one. The heart without the head is a misdirected and rootless emotionalism that is soon gone. May the Almighty fill our heads with truth and may He fill our hearts with fire … that our worship may, indeed, be honoring to Him.
