Scripture Reference: John 4:23-24 NASB20
But a time is coming, and even now has arrived, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.
Reflection
Early in His ministry, Jesus met a woman at a remote well in Samaria, north of Jerusalem. He asked her to give Him a drink of water. This simple request led to a long conversation about her life and lifestyle. She lived in a different country and culture than the one Jesus knew. The discussion eventually led to the differences in how and where they worshiped God. The woman reminded Jesus that “Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and yet you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one must worship.” John 4:20, NASB20. But Jesus knew that both Samaritans and Jews had strayed far from the worship God desired. So, He spoke of a time to come. Read again John 4:23-24. From this story, we should see three important ideas about worship.
First, worship is vitally important in the grand scheme of the Christian life. God created us to express His glory.
Second, when Jesus referred to “true worshipers,” He implied that worshipers, or how they worshiped, could be wrong in some way, incomplete, or even false.
And third, we begin to see that God wanted a worship that was different than previously done. He said the Father was seeking those who would worship Him in a new way, not as a religious practice, but deeper and more personally. In spirit, as opposed to a ritual. And, in truth, as opposed to the many false rules and practices contrived over the years by religion.
Heart for the Homeless
No matter where we come from, no matter our background, and no matter the difficult situation in which we find ourselves, God is inviting us to worship Him now. To speak His name, sing about His character, and thank Him for His grace and mercy. If we think of worship as something we only do at church on Sunday, this view reflects the old way of worship that Jesus came to replace. God is still God on Monday and every day. Just as Jesus taught the woman at the well, He teaches us today that worship is not an occasional religious practice, but a daily way of life.
We can call out to our Father wherever and whenever we desire; in fact, Jesus said that the Father seeks this kind of worshiper. He desires someone who will make worship a central part of every day, who will recognize His authority over every aspect of life, and who will worship Him in spirit and in truth.
Let’s take Jesus’ challenge to the Samaritan woman to heart and make worship of our Heavenly Father part of our life and lifestyle. God wants this kind of everyday relationship with us, and we’ll be blessed by His continual presence in our lives.
Author: Greg Dixon
Greg Dixon, a lifelong student of the Bible, has served God through the local church for nearly half a century. As chief technology officer in a Fortune 1000 company, Greg taught emerging technologies to non-technical people working in worldwide product distribution. In 2020, he retired to find his voice in Christian writing and teaching. Greg is a husband, father, and proud grandfather. “I’ve been able to get to know and love many of Anderson’s homeless citizens through volunteering at some of our local non-profit organizations. I’ve come to see so much potential in these neighbors. And I’ve discovered the difference in wanting to do something for them — and actually making a difference – is as simple as just stepping up and saying, ‘Put me to work.’”
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