Leslie M. John
Worship is the reverence paid to God. As believers in Lord Jesus Christ, we worship the Father through His Son, Lord Jesus Christ, according to the New Testament pattern, where Jesus takes the prominence in our worship.
Greek Strong’s definition number for worship is: G4353 Transliterated word is “ proskynçtçs” It means:
1) to kiss the hand to (towards) one, in token of reverence
2) among the Orientals, esp. the Persians, to fall upon the knees and touch the ground with the forehead as an expression of profound reverence
3) in the NT by kneeling or prostration to do homage (to one) or make obeisance, whether in order to express respect or to make supplication.
Jesus said:
”Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again”. John 10:17
”But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him”.John 4:23
”I and my Father are one” John 10:30
It is obvious here that the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth and as the ”Father” in heaven and Jesus are one the worship that we render to Jesus is acceptable to the Father in heaven. Here, it becomes necessary for us to know what exactly ”worship” is. Worship according to New Testament pattern is not fleshly nor is it physical. God is Sprit, therefore, our worship should be in spirit and in truth and not physical nor should be fleshly (John 4:24). We see in Old Testament the pattern of worship had in it, a physical structure called, Tabernacle, Priests with special clothing, Lamp stands, burning of incense, usage of musical instruments, and sacrifice of animals. These all give us physical and fleshly senses.
New Testament pattern of worship is based on Hebrews 9:11-12, where Jesus is seen as the high priest and perfect tabernacle, not made with the hands of men, or with the blood of goats, or calves, but with his own blood, which he shed for us at the cross of Calvary, and obtained eternal redemption for us.
We are no more strangers and foreigners but fellow citizens with the saints. Jesus Christ is the corner stone and in him we are built together for a habitation of God through the Spirit. (Ref. Ephesians 2:19-22)
New Testament pattern of worship is centered on Jesus Christ, and spiritual aspects of life. The believers in Christ are one household of God and are built on the foundation laid by the Apostles and Prophets. Lord Jesus Christ himself is the corner stone of such building. All those saved in the precious blood of Jesus are fitly framed together and grow in the grace of God and are parts of that holy temple of the Lord. We are built together for habitation of God through the Sprit.
Every born again child of God may worship God in spirit and in truth. Let us bow down to him and acknowledge him as our Lord and Savior. Let us sing songs and hymns of worship. Such worship rendered by the child of God is acceptable unto him.
Participation in Lord’s Supper is not the only way of worshipping God, but it is one of the ways. Lord’s Supper is to remember the death of our Jesus Christ. “For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come”. Corinthians 11:26
Many times while remembering the death of Lord Jesus Christ the fact about his resurrection and ascension is undermined or forgotten. There is no reason to undermine to acknowledge the resurrection and his ascension while remembering about Lord Jesus Christ's death. We should not undermine to remember the resurrection of Lord Jesus Christ.
The observance of ”Lord’s Supper” by breaking bread and drinking from the cup is a great way of worshiping Lord Jesus Christ. We remember the death of Jesus Christ, his burial and resurrection and his ascension.
”And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me”. (1 Corinthians 11:24-25)