Focal passage: Luke 19:29-40
One day I was speaking with a friend of mine who serves as the worship leader at a nearby church. I asked him what he thought about the repetitive nature of modern worship songs. His response was, “It used to bother me until I understood that worship isn’t about me.”
He was right. Whether we worship through singing, service, or prayer, our focus should not be on ourselves. The target of our adoration is God and by extension Jesus.
When the people praised God as Jesus rode into Jerusalem, the Pharisees said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples” (v. 39). They wanted Jesus to admonish the crowd and in so doing squelch their blasphemy. The Pharisees understood that their praise was a reflection of Jesus’ divine authority.
In response, Jesus said, “I tell you, if they were to keep silent, the stones would cry out” (v. 40). The crowds knew Jesus was worthy of praise. But even if they didn’t, creation would sing of His glory. Nothing can stop Jesus from getting the glory He is due.
How often is your heart hardened during worship on Sunday morning? How often do your preferences stand in the way of you glorifying God?
Whether in song, attitude, or action, Jesus is worthy of our worship.
Paul says, “…I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship” (Romans 12:1). A living sacrifice is an ongoing means of praise and worship. It extends beyond the weekend.
Consider all the ways you can worship God each day. Praise is not reserved for 30 minutes on Sunday morning, it’s meant to be part of who we are!
When you find it difficult to show patients to your spouse, consider it an act of worship. When you’re asked to serve in children’s ministry or as a greeter, consider that an act of worship. If we fail to offer God the worship He deserves, creation will cry out in our place. But rocks make poor substitutes for human hearts.