The LORD revealed a new way—or emphasis of worship—in His encounter with the Samaritan woman by Jacob’s well. Astounded that He would talk to her, she brought up the subject of worship. He made a statement that changed the nature of worship for eternity.
“Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor inJerusalem, worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:21-25).
RELEVANCE
The LORD conveyed many things by this comment. For one thing, He was indicating that the place of worship would be secondary to the way of worship. He would soon reveal that He is the way. In fact, the disciples had begun to call this new life in the LORD “the way” (Acts 24:14).
It would be a way of life that would draw its very vitality from God’s Word and Spirit. It would be a way of life that would reflect the LORD’s heart and character—His Spirit.
The former emphasis on external ritual would shift to internal and expressive communion from the heart with God. Through such heartfelt communion, our heart softens and we are more able to receive the LORD’s cleansing through the refreshing of the Holy Spirit. That clears our conscience from guilt and energizes us to be free to express worship outwardly through service to others. Such is the way of the servant son—or child of God.
This was what Jesus had in mind in rebuking the religious leaders for having “neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith” (Matthew 23:23).
We acknowledge God’s order of justice as we submit to His sovereign authority, surrender pride, and confess and repent of sins in our heart; then receive His mercy. We then can freely express mercy towards others, and by faith, serve God by serving with a genuine heart of compassion. God would have all His children walk with Him in such a way. It is His way.
REFLECT AND RELATE
The book of Acts gives us a sense of the kind of lifestyle of dedication and worship practiced by the early disciples. Be encouraged as you spend time in Acts.
REFERENCES
The Book of Acts