4th week of Advent
The Wise Men traveled perhaps a thousand miles to worship a king they knew only from prophetic writings. What stimulates this kind of worship?
What does it mean to worship? The word comes from an Old English term meaning “worth-ship” – that is, assigning worth to something. In modern English, it refers to showing an attitude of “worthiness or respect” toward someone of higher status. Worship is a response to the worthiness of the object being worshipped.
Many have tried to define the concept of worship, but my favorite comes from Robert Webber: “Worship is a verb.” Verb implies action. Worship requires participation. Our spirit must connect with God’s spirit. There must be an expression of “worth-ship” from our spirit to his.
As we focus on God, true worship opens us to his voice. Psalm 95:7 states, “for he is our God…If only you would listen to his voice today!” Have you ever heard God’s voice? Only when our spirit connects with God’s Spirit can we truly hear his voice. Only when our personal thoughts submit to the Holy Spirit’s thoughts can we hear God’s voice.
Worship is not a passive event; it is interactive. We are not meant to just observe others worshiping, but to actively engage with the God of the Universe.
God did not create you so that you could enjoy life (although you will). He did not create you solely to go to church (although you should). He did not create you only to win your world to Jesus (although you’re given that assignment). No! God created you “to glorify Him, and to enjoy Him forever.”Worship is the purpose for which you were made! If you do many great things in your life but fail to engage the God of the universe in genuine, authentic, passionate worship, you have missed the point of life.
The shepherds arrived on the night of Jesus’ birth to worship him and returned as changed men. The Wise Men came to find the Jewish king, worshiped him, and left as changed men. But this was not unique to the shepherds and the Wise Men. Jacob wrestled with God and never walked the same again. Isaiah stepped into God’s presence and met “the King, The Lord of hosts” (Isaiah 6:5). He was never the same. Job questioned God repeatedly about his suffering, but when God showed up, Job said, “I lay my hand on my mouth. I have spoken once, and I will not answer; twice, but I will proceed no further” (Job 40:4-5). Job met God and became a changed man. Saul of Tarsus was “breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples.” But one day he met Jesus—and he was never the same again. Peter, Andrew, James, and John were tough, fiery fishermen. Yet when they met Jesus, their lives were transformed. They were never the same.
This remains true today. When you meet God, you will never be the same again. An encounter with God transforms you. Meeting the King of Kings and Lord of Lords leaves a lasting impact. When we encounter Jesus in worship, things change. Worship changes us. If you are not transformed after worshiping the King of the universe, then you have not truly worshiped.
Worship is a verb! It requires action and participation. You cannot touch God just by sitting through a service or reciting a ritual. Prayer and singing have to come from your heart and reach God’s spirit. Otherwise, we have not truly worshipped. There will be a day for each of us, just as it was for the wise men, when we see his star in the east and come to worship him.
For more details about Christmas worship, read my book Christmas Worship and the Birth of Our Savior, available on Amazon or at www.burshilling.com.