So I was thinking that I was going to write about a completely different topic today but last night a question came up during Bible study and I just had to blog about it (right Kelli?). The question landed hard on the subject of worship and what exactly this whole thing called "worship" is.
A few years ago I found myself (a lot because of my own doing) right in the middle of a worship war. Now, this wasn't just a small little argument or quarrel or even a battle...I'm talking all out war...not pretty! Anyway, having been involved in a church for pretty much my entire life and working at one for 5 years, I will admit that I had a pretty narrow definition of worship, and it wasn't until just a couple years ago that God started opening my eyes to a broader definition of worship. Last night at Bible study God brought worship into a whole new perspective. I didn't get a chance to share it with the guys...so here's the next best thing (actually probably better cause I'm guessing most of you wouldn't have been there to hear it).
The question was this: How did the disciples worship Jesus back in the day? Did they sit around and sing worship songs to him? Seems kind of silly at first, but it does make you think. Here's my thoughts...
When I was thinking about this question, I remembered a Nooma video by Rob Bell called "Chosen." In the video Rob takes a closer look at what exactly it meant to be a disciple using the Jewish tradition. In a nutshell, boys growing up in the Jewish tradition spend the majority of their childhood studying the Hebrew scriptures, hoping to be chosen by a Rabbi to be his disciple. Once selected those disciples devote their lives to learning the ways of their Rabbi so that they can carry on his teachings...essentially they want to become just like their Rabbi.
Now put that into the context of Jesus (Rabbi) and his disciples. See where I'm going? How did the disciples worship Jesus? By following him wherever he went, listening to his teachings, and learning to be just like him. Take a look at Romans 12:1 -
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice - the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.
Jesus gave of his life to save the world from sin and death. What better way to worship him than to follow his example and offer ourselves as a living sacrifice...to further his kingdom.
Worship has always been very close to my heart so I'd love to hear your thoughts and comments on this topic.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I guess I never sat down and thought "How did Jesus' disciples worship him?" Good question for a Bible study! Going by your summary of Rob Bell's definition, the first thing that popped into my mind was "apprentice". If you think about it, his disciples were his apprentices, learning to carry on the trade (in this case-Jesus' teachings) so that when he was no longer here (in the physical human form), his teachings (the "trade") would not disappear and be forgotten over time...hhmmmm...interesting!
ReplyDeleteI think you're onto something when you said his disciples worshiped him "by following him wherever he went, listening to his teachings and learning to be just like him", but I personally think it would be important to say that they would have done it with conviction and at least some kind of knowledge that it wouldn't be for just their own personal gain, in the most sincere way that would set them apart somehow from someone who is "just a follower" (as in "all the cool kids are doing it, so I will too" type of follower). I think in today's society, the word worship is not something that is used in the same context (at least not to the same extent) and is usually construed to be a negative. For instance- I could do the same thing with a celebrity- follow them wherever they go, listen to whatever they say and believe it as truth and learn (or at least TRY) to be just like them....but I would be "just a follower" (as in "all the cool kids are doing it, so I will too.") In that context, it has a negative connotation.
As far as worshiping God and worship in the church...I don't know what to say, I'm still trying to figure that out and will let you know when and if I personally feel like "worship" happens in my church (not to be confused with worshiping God in my LIFE, it's just that I don't really feel it's happening in my church.)