We are looking at some of the things Jesus said about the subject of worship in a conversation which he had with a woman drawing water from Jacob’s well in Sychar, Samaria. The subject came up when the woman, trying to protect her immoral life style, started an argument about religion. This is still the favourite diversion when God begins to probe into our hearts. The opening question was: ‘Where’s the proper place to worship?’. “Our fathers worshipped here in Samaria. You Jews claim that the Temple in Jerusalem is the only valid place to worship.” Jesus said, the place doesn’t matter. Neither here, at the shrine of Samaria, nor even in the great Jewish Temple at Jerusalem does God insist upon. In fact the place is not the important thing at all. Both then, and now, this is a staggering revelation. So it is not the place where you worship that counts. it’s WHO you worship and how, that matters. Too much stress on the place and it can become an idol. To worship God is a corporate personal encounter. The place where God meets his people is not a geographically fixed point, but is amongst the hearts of his praising people. This is the lesson the early church took to heart at once. Thus Paul could describe, in the Letter to the Ephesians that a church at worship is made entirely of praising people wherever it is located. From Ephesians 2: 20-22Ephesians 2: 20-22
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
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Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
“Jesus, where ‘ere thy people meet, there they behold thy mercy seat
Where’ere they seek thee, thou are found, and every place is hallowed ground.”
A Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, who promised that where two or three people are gathered in your name, you would be there in the midst of them, help all Christians gathered for worship to be more aware of your holy presence than the place where they meet.
Now read I Corinthians Chapter 12.
