“PASSIONATE WORSHIP” If you have ever wondered where our worship practices began, the Book of Nehemiah is a good place to start your search. These chapters contain gestures, postures and holy habits that have been passed down through the centuries. They are a precious connection of our Judeo-Christian heritage. As I recount the Old Testament practice, listen for what we do today: In verses 1 & 2, the people gathered together on the first day of the week. In verses 4 & 5, Ezra the priest stood on a wooden platform above the people to read the scriptures to better help worshipers see and hear; the people stood as the scripture was being read. In verse 6 the Lord’s name was blessed and the people responded with “Amens.” They lifted their hands and bowed their heads. The priest interpreted the scriptures to help them understand. The priests taught the people that the day of worshiping God was a holy time for rejoicing. Verse 12 says when they were told, “The joy of the Lord is your strength,” they rejoiced because the Word was preached. Then in the ninth chapter, they came together to worship again, and after fasting, they confessed their sins, read scriptures and worshiped the Lord. Typical worship lasted one-fourth of the day. Did you see or hear WUMC in the scriptures? Here we are now, modern-day worshipers of God. How do we worship? Have we retained the joy and gratitude of our spiritual ancestors? Are we a community of believers who look forward to coming together to honor God? They were serious about worship. Are we? Being “passionate” means to express, show and be marked by intense emotion or strong feelings. “Worship” in Greek means “to give reverence, to adore and to pay homage (respect).” These acts are demonstrated by praising, glorifying and giving thanks. Worship is the appropriate human response to God’s love, grace and mercy. Christian worship is an adaptation of Jewish worship in the synagogues after the In Bishop Schnase’s book, Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations, he writes: “Passionate worship means an extraordinary eagerness to offer the best in worship, honoring God with excellence and with an unusual clarity about the purpose of connecting people to God…. Worship equips and encourages people and calls them to alter their paths as they grow in Christ-likeness. The pastor seeks to engage people with a practical challenge to do something in their family, community, and world because of their faith in Christ. Worship changes behavior” (pp36-37). In our congregational worship, we should be the best greeter, usher, ministry team, singer, pray-er, nursery worker, teacher, etc., we can be. Why? Because it’s for the Lord. No other reason. God gave his best when he gave us Jesus. We should give our best in return. Worship is not about us, it’s about God. The Gospel of John, 4:24 says, “God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” If you want to read more about worship in the Bible, as a means of grace, read The Gospel of Luke and the Book of Revelation. The Ritual of Foot Washing comes from Jesus. In the Gospel of John, 13:1-15, Jesus turned the common practice of washing the feet of guests into a lesson in leadership and servant hood. He didn’t just talk about Christian leaders being servants of God, he showed them. He demonstrated humility. Right before the first Lord’s Supper, he took off his robe, poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and dry them with a towel. Simon Peter wouldn’t let him until Jesus said, “Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.” He reminded them that he was their Lord and Teacher. He said, “I have set an example for you. Do what I have done. Wash each other’s feet.” So Maundy Thursday is the annual night when we obey these particular words and deeds of Christ. People of God, come, as an act of passionate worship. Let your pastors wash your feet. Remind us that we are your servants in Christ. Amen. |