KACHELBELA: Portrait #3 & #4. Expressions of Worship and The P...

KACHELBELA: Portrait #3 & #4. Expressions of Worship and The P...: Dear Diary, As earlier mentioned ( https://wordpress.com/view/nzakunashipae.wordpress.com ) this is a series #Portraits_of_Extravagant_Wo...

Portrait #3 & #4. Expressions of Worship and The Posture of the Heart

Dear Diary,

As earlier mentioned (https://wordpress.com/view/nzakunashipae.wordpress.com) this is a series #Portraits_of_Extravagant_Worship I shared during our Lunch Hour Fellowship at PEFA Church, Gikomba (10th-13th Sept. 2019). The series is derived from Matthew 26:6-12; Mark 14:1-8; John 12:1-11; Luke 7:36-48. It is about a woman who poured very expensive perfume on Jesus.

Portrait #3. There are different ways to express your act of worship.

Does God give us the right to choose how to express our worship to Him? Gleaning from the book of Psalms, the Psalmists expressed their worship in varied ways including but not limited to clapping hands, singing, shouting, playing instruments etc. From Matthew 26:6-12; Mark 14:1-8; John 12:1-11; Luke 7:36-48 narratives, I noted various people expressed their worship differently:

Withholding nothing from Jesus- Mary poured an expensive perfume on Jesus, laying her glory down she wiped His feet with her hair in humility, Luke 7:38; Serving God and people- “…Martha served,” John 12:2; Glorifying Jesus- Lazarus testified about Jesus; he was a living testimony of what Jesus does. In fact, John 12:11 tells us that on account of Lazarus many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in Him. I imagine while reclining at the table,  Lazarus may have said, “I was stone cold dead for four days when Jesus called out my name and here I am, alive!” Considering we are told in one of the narratives that the diner was held in Simon the Leper’s house, then I imagine his testimony was like this, “I was a dejected leper but Jesus touched me and made me whole!” Such testimonies bring glory to Jesus and draw many people to Him. Worship through lifestyle, “…offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind,” Roman 12:1-2.  Paul describes our lives in Christ as worshipful. Our character/attitude must be as that of Christ, Phil 2:15.

Whichever way you choose to express your worship, what counts is Portrait #4. The posture of the heart 

The above narratives tell us that Jesus was reclining at table when the woman boldly and unashamed approached and poured her extravagant gesture on Him and wiped His feet with her hair. The reclining position forced the woman to  bow and kneel. Praising and worshiping God is done in many different positions and forms: Sitting – Acts 2:1-2, Kneeling – Psalms 95:6; Standing – Exodus 33:10; Lying flat/bowing down, 1 Kings 18:39; Bowing head – 2 Chronicles 29:30; Lifting hands – Psalm 63:4; Dancing – Psalm 149:3. Whichever way and posture you choose to express your worship; whether you shout, clap hands, kneel or stand before God, it is not the posture of your body, but of our heart that is  more important, Proverbs 4:23 says, “…for everything you do flows from it (heart).” If hurtful emotions creep in the heart they can make you to be bitter, angry, proud, indifferent, and unforgiving and hinder your worship.  God desires that your worship be holy and acceptable, flowing from a humble and loving heart.

How do you express your heartfelt worship to God? What is your heart posture?

Yours faithful scribbler,

NzakuNashipae