Friday, February 7 – True Worship

"My Samaritan ancestors worshiped God on this mountain, but you Jews say that Jerusalem is the place where we should worship God." ²¹ Jesus said to her, "Believe me, woman, the time will come when people will not worship the Father either on this mountain or in Jerusalem. ²² You Samaritans do not really know whom you worship; but we Jews know whom we worship, because it is from the Jews that salvation comes. ²³ But the time is coming and is already here, when by the power of God's Spirit people will worship the Father as he really is, offering him the true worship that he wants. ²⁴ God is Spirit, and only by the power of his Spirit can people worship him as he really is."  --John 4:20-24 (TEV)

There’s nothing like worship practices to divide a group of people.  Samaritans and Jews were divided about place and practice of worship, so her question about worship was at the core of her identity.  She was exploring who he was and who she was with that question.

Jesus doesn’t opt for one over the other, but says that the spirit of our worship is most important.  We can’t truly worship without the power and presence of God’s Spirit.  When our hearts are open and love for one another is apparent, then true worship that God wants takes place.

Talk to God about worship.  We like certain music and familiar ‘styles,’ but ask what God is looking for from you... from us as a people...walking & working together in worship.