Many of you are aware that I just returned from Armenia. Armenia is the oldest and first Christian nation. They have suffered greatly. They have experienced genocide killing 1.5 million people. Then they suffered a horrific earthquake from which they are still recovering. Life has been hard for them. You can see the pain and loss on their faces. There are very few that return a smile on the streets. But, in the churches there are hands raised, and voices lifted in unison that far exceed any praise and worship I have ever heard. I have been in many countries and traveled throughout this great nation of ours and nothing compares. Pain brings about a passion that I rarely see or hear.
I was reminded of the story of the Cambodian refugee that returned to Cambodia to be a missionary. When asked by the reporter, "Why do you Cambodians come to hear a man you tortured and beat?" Their response was simply, "Something happens when the man with the scars speaks." Our scars speak volumes. They shout louder than our words. Scars not stars get peoples attention.
In 1 Chronicles, God told King David to build an altar in a certain spot. The man who owned the land was willing to give King David the land, but “King David replied to Araunah, ‘No, I insist on buying it for the full price. I will not take what is yours and give it to the Lord. I will not present burnt offerings that have cost me nothing!’” (1 Chronicles 21:24 NLT)
Obviously, God appreciates worship that costs us something. What is valuable to you? Your time? Your money? Your talents or abilities? Your energy or strength? Your influence?
Jesus was so valuable to the “sinful woman” that she was willing to give him something of incredible value. She had been forgiven much, so she loved much. Her love was expressed through generous worship.
Likewise, if we truly grasp what God has done for us, our love for Him will increase and we will want to give Him things that are valuable or important to us.
If you don’t want to give Jesus what is valuable to you, what does that mean about your love for Him? If you are hesitant to spend what is costly to you in order to demonstrate His value, what does that say about your devotion to Him?
Forget trying to find a true worship experience. True worship isn’t necessarily found in worship songs, and finding true worship in a church doesn’t always happen either.
True worship is found in demonstrating the worth that God has in our lives.
In Matthew’s account, Jesus was so impressed by this woman’s worship in a religious leader’s home that He told everyone “I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed.” (Matthew 26:13 NLT)
I was reminded of the story of the Cambodian refugee that returned to Cambodia to be a missionary. When asked by the reporter, "Why do you Cambodians come to hear a man you tortured and beat?" Their response was simply, "Something happens when the man with the scars speaks." Our scars speak volumes. They shout louder than our words. Scars not stars get peoples attention.
In 1 Chronicles, God told King David to build an altar in a certain spot. The man who owned the land was willing to give King David the land, but “King David replied to Araunah, ‘No, I insist on buying it for the full price. I will not take what is yours and give it to the Lord. I will not present burnt offerings that have cost me nothing!’” (1 Chronicles 21:24 NLT)
Obviously, God appreciates worship that costs us something. What is valuable to you? Your time? Your money? Your talents or abilities? Your energy or strength? Your influence?
Jesus was so valuable to the “sinful woman” that she was willing to give him something of incredible value. She had been forgiven much, so she loved much. Her love was expressed through generous worship.
Likewise, if we truly grasp what God has done for us, our love for Him will increase and we will want to give Him things that are valuable or important to us.
If you don’t want to give Jesus what is valuable to you, what does that mean about your love for Him? If you are hesitant to spend what is costly to you in order to demonstrate His value, what does that say about your devotion to Him?
Forget trying to find a true worship experience. True worship isn’t necessarily found in worship songs, and finding true worship in a church doesn’t always happen either.
True worship is found in demonstrating the worth that God has in our lives.
In Matthew’s account, Jesus was so impressed by this woman’s worship in a religious leader’s home that He told everyone “I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed.” (Matthew 26:13 NLT)
You and I were created to worship. We worship something. We worship someone. Ask yourself who do you worship? What do you worship? The answer to these questions will help locate what you love, and what you live for.
The Disciples Saw Worship as Waste~sometimes I think the American Church does too.
Another account of Jesus being anointed with oil is told in Matthew and reads:
“Meanwhile, Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon, a man who had previously had leprosy. While he was eating, a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume and poured it over his head.
The disciples were indignant when they saw this. ‘What a waste!’ they said. ‘It could have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor.’
But Jesus, aware of this, replied, ‘Why criticize this woman for doing such a good thing to me? You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me. She has poured this perfume on me to prepare my body for burial. I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed.’”(Matt 26:7-11)
Jesus’s own disciples thought this act of worship was a waste, but He saw it as an act of love, worship, appreciation, and preparation for His death.
This woman didn’t care what others thought of her. She had one thing on her mind: to honor and thank Jesus for what He had done for her. We too, need to be more concerned about what GOD thinks than what others think.
This woman had a clear understanding of and a deep appreciation for how much she had been forgiven. If we truly comprehend how Jesus has forgiven us and rescued us, this would result in our loving Him more.
Another account of Jesus being anointed with oil is told in Matthew and reads:
“Meanwhile, Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon, a man who had previously had leprosy. While he was eating, a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume and poured it over his head.
The disciples were indignant when they saw this. ‘What a waste!’ they said. ‘It could have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor.’
But Jesus, aware of this, replied, ‘Why criticize this woman for doing such a good thing to me? You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me. She has poured this perfume on me to prepare my body for burial. I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed.’”(Matt 26:7-11)
Jesus’s own disciples thought this act of worship was a waste, but He saw it as an act of love, worship, appreciation, and preparation for His death.
This woman didn’t care what others thought of her. She had one thing on her mind: to honor and thank Jesus for what He had done for her. We too, need to be more concerned about what GOD thinks than what others think.
This woman had a clear understanding of and a deep appreciation for how much she had been forgiven. If we truly comprehend how Jesus has forgiven us and rescued us, this would result in our loving Him more.
ACTION STEP: Take time today to actually sit down and write a few lines about what you are thankful for. What has God saved you from? What has God done for you? When you write these down, why not just sing the words back to Him? Lift up your worship and let it rise like the fragrance of sweet perfume.
My favorite part of Armenia you may ask? The worship. For the first two days tears ran down my face as the people worshiped. I could see and feel the cost of their worship. I wasn't crying. Tears were just running out my eyes and dripping from my chin. I was in His presence. He had told me He would come...and He was there. In this war torn and persecuted people there was a passion and a presence.
I ask myself, "What must we go through as a nation in order to bring passion back into our worship, and presence back into our churches?
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