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What is Worship?
Worship is one of those things that is easily understood in its essence but difficult to define. Basically, it means to adore and honor, and can be expressed in many ways. Our english word "worship" comes from roots which means "to ascribe worth to", which is another good way of looking at it. In the Hebrew Old Testament, the most common word translated worship means literally, "to bow down to", which gives us yet another instructive angle on the meaning of worship, giving us the proper sense of humility and lowliness in the presence of greatness, even though we rarely see this gesture in our society today.
Interestingly enough, the greek roots for the most common word translated "worship" in our english New Testament are "toward" and "kiss", i.e., to kiss toward. We have the expression in America "to kiss up to" usually in reference to our boss at work. Although this phrase has a negative connotation to us, we can still draw lessons from it. One who "kisses up" is generally thought to be someone who is trying to get ahead and is willing to go to great lengths to win the boss' favor, and hopefully a raise and promotion. The person ingratiates themselves with the boss through flattery, and by being available to carry out every whim of the boss, no matter how silly or demeaning. The person at heart may not respect the boss at all, and may even make fun of him while he is away, but is willing to "play the game" to acheive their desired end. Despite these negative connotations, there are some themes here we may point out and enlarge upon. Obviously, God does not want us to simply be going through motions to appease Him in some fashion or to make points with Him. On the one hand, we have nothing to offer, and on the other, He doesn't need us to flatter His ego. He wants a relationship with us. He wants us to love Him because He has already loved us, but He will carry on if we don't. Instead of hollow flattery, i.e., lip service, He wants us to worship in Spirit and in truth. Instead of doing one thing in His presence in assembly, and another when away, He wants us to do His will whether in assembly, or by ourselves. And that doing of His will should be from the heart, and not in the outward behavior alone. Obedience is better than sacrifice, God says. He would like honest worship, honest "kissing up", which flows from love and a life lived pleasing Him. The thought of "kissing toward" is something like blowing God kisses with our words and ways. Kissing is one of the most tender expressions of love we can make. Are we really "kissing up" to God in this good sense, or do we act more like the co-worker who's trying to get somewhere by outwardly flattering and pandering to the boss?
In what ways do we worship God? We've discussed how our thoughts and ways and words should be all for God. In this sense, all that we do is worship- "whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." There are also those special times, however, when we are specifically setting aside time to worship God. We may do this individually, as during our quiet times of meditation and prayer. At other times, we worship together with other Christians. There is another special time, a most special time, when we get to come into the presence of God Himself, as a company, and worship. This is when we gather together in assembly. This is a special privelidge which Old Testament saints were not able to enjoy.
The Old Testament believers worshiped by bringing their sacrifices to the Temple at Jerusalem. The people themselves could not offer the sacrifices, much less come into the presence of God. Only the priests could offer the sacrifices, and come into the holy place. Even then, only the high priest was allowed into the holiest of all just once per year. Today, every believer is a priest, and is able to come into the presence of God- no go between is necessary, and there is no more veil separating God from His people. All have equal access and privelidge. There is no longer only one physical place to meet God either, as Jerusalem was in the Old Testament- now He is wherever two or three are gathered in His name. The church is the temple of God, His dwelling place on earth, and it is only corporately that we can enjoy the privelidge of being in His presence to worship in this special way. The temple in Jerusalem was the preeminent place for worship in the Old Testament, and today, His temple is the church.
In the old times, the worshipers brought sacrifices such as doves and lambs and bullocks. Today, we worship in Spirit and in truth, and bring our sacrifice of praise, being the fruit of our lips. For us, Christ is the lamb of God which takes away our sins. He is a sweet savor to God, and when we come to worship we simply bring what He is and what He has done for us- no more sacrifice is necessary. In old times, even the poorest in Israel could worship. God made provision that if one could not afford a lamb, he could offer two doves, and if the offerer could not afford two doves, he could offer an offering of fine flour. God is pleased with whatever we have to offer if our offering is done with the proper heart. Even the spiritually poor may worship God- remember, He was more pleased with the two mites of the widow than with all treasures offered by the rich. "Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise." If you can make nothing more than the feeblest sacrifice, God is pleased, for anything which speaks of His Son is absolutely pleasing to Him.
Two types of people served at the temple at Jerusalem: levites and priests. The levites were the tribe which were specifically designated by God to serve in the things of the temple, but did not offer sacrifices. The priests were levites of Aaron's family only with the special privelidge of serving in the temple and offering sacrifices for the people. It was the priests who actually carried out the sacrifices. It was the priests only who could enter into the presence of the Lord. This illustrates to us the difference between worship and service, although they are in some ways inseparable. Thank God that He has made all Christians priests, and let us not confuse our special privelidges as priests with service. While service is wonderful, necessary, and pleasing to the Lord, our highest privelidge as priests is that we can enter into God's presence for worship, bringing praise to His Name. Preaching and teaching are excellent, as well as evangelism and every other form of service, but these are not worship per say. Worship is bringing the sweet savor of Christ up to God in praise. Worship is not possible without levitical service, but it is not levitical service which constitutes worship in His presence. The Lord specifically asks us to gather together to remember Him in His death- the Father seeks worshipers- shall we not heed the call?
Have another question? Email Todd Asselborn your question by clicking on the contact link on the top or bottom of this page.