“But she came, knelt before him, and said, “Lord, help me!”
“Then Jesus replied to her, “Woman, your faith is great. Let it be done for you as you want.” And from that moment her daughter was healed.”
Matthew 15:25&28 (CSB)
I’ve been thinking about worship a lot recently, part of that because of how nice it has begun to feel outside again. There’s something wonderful about the way the mornings are chilly and the breeze begins to blow more throughout the day. I definitely find myself in the summer months of North Carolina avoiding the outdoors from July and August, but this weather has been perfect. When I’m outside, I definitely feel closer to God, there’s a magical feeling of the fresh air, the growth around me, and the noises of distant birds singing a song.
I used to think about worship in a singularly defined way; it always took place in a room with a good sound system, dim lights, and a band that stayed on pace with Ableton…but obviously that just isn’t true. That’s a very surface level view of worship, because really worship isn’t about music, worship is about who you are humbling yourself and submitting to.
True worship is found in our adoration of our loving savior.
It’s a good reminder for all of us believers, that what we enjoy does not always mean it is the intention of what Christ called us into. Now, I am not judging any church that has a plan and wants to honor Christ in their excellence, what I am critiquing is the leap in thinking that worship only occurs in a set parameter that only originated from the modern church. In visiting churches, I have had to check myself when I think about the way a church executes their worship, because the reality is, if a church or body is giving adoration to Christ, my preference does not give me the right to determine if the Spirit is present.
This led me to understand, what does worship mean? The most common Greek word used in the New Testament Scriptures is, “proskuneó,” which translates as “to fawn or crouch, to fall down in adoration, and a physical act of lowering oneself in humble submission with an attitude of utmost adoration or respect (from Strong’s, be sure to look yourself and discover the beauty of Scripture).”
Worship is the position you place yourself in front of what you truly adore.
Where is your adoration directed? Are you worshipping Christ or are you worshipping yourself? Are you seeking Jesus so that others will seek you? What is the priority in your life?
Sing praises loudly in the crowd as much as you are in private. Christ wants your adoration not a show for others.
I looked at this passage of Scripture that shows a small moment in the ministry of Jesus. He is healing many and showing His great power, and a woman who was a gentile comes before Jesus to have her daughter healed. His disciples try to have Him move on because she is not a Jew, yet Jesus acknowledges this and shows them that she is a part of the “house of Isreal” in how He listens and heals. The verse says that she “knelt before Him,” that is this word of worship, proskuneó, she kneels before Jesus in worship because she is acknowledging His divinity in faith. Her actions physically showed her worship to the King of kings.
Our loving Savior is worthy of our humble adoration and submission.
I think as the body of Christ, we need to be careful of how we handle the gift God has given us. We are called to go into our homes, neighborhoods, and the ends of the earth making disciples. In that Great Commission, there is no place for pride and building our own kingdom. That’s the goal of the enemy, and one that will ultimately destroy your foundation. That’s why I believe worship is so vital, because the worship we see in Scripture, means that we must have our heart rooted in humility and adoration for Christ.
I remember a couple of years ago being in a conference for church leaders and one of the main points being communicated, was that Peter preached and three thousand people were saved, so that is what the church model should look like. Which is certainly a point, but one that skips over the bulk of the church model in Scripture. The church we see modeled in Scripture, yes, has those big crowd moments, but the true core is the houses where believers gathered humbly, shared the word, sold possessions to help those in need, and worship Christ through their actions of adoration.
You were created for such a time as this, and all Jesus wants is the posture of your heart.
So, what are you worshipping? Are you worshipping a platform where others look to you? Are you worshipping a certain checklist for your life and trying to fit God into those boxes? Or are you worshipping the one who just wants your heart?
Be a true worshipper. Humble yourself in adoration to the one who brought you out of darkness and into the light. Sing loud in a church service and sing louder when you’re alone at night, worried about the future. Kneel before the only one you know can and will save you.
You’re goal in life is not to be seen by others but be seen by your Savior alone.
Worship with your time, talents, and treasures; Christ has saved you and called you for such a time as this, use it to be a light for the people around you. That is how you worship, by being a light and loving others so that they too can be saved and made whole again.
So, again, I leave you with the question of, what are you worshipping?
- Your pastor and friend, Joshua.
About the Author: Joshua Thomas is a husband, father, and pastor doing what he can to love others the way Jesus did. You can find him reading a good book, sipping warm tea, taking pictures, or dreaming. He may not have it all figured out, but the journey is the best part. You can find him on the only social media he uses, Bluesky and Instagram
Joshua Writes 