Does it matter where you worship?

Believe me, woman, the time is coming when you Samaritans will worship the Father neither here at this mountain nor there in Jerusalem.

You worship guessing in the dark; we Jews worship in the clear light of day. God’s way of salvation is made available through the Jews.

But the time is coming – it has, in fact, come – when what you’re called will not matter and where you go to worship will not matter.

God is sheer being itself – Spirit. Those who worship him must do it out of their very being, their spirits, their true selves, in adoration.”

The woman said, “I don’t know about that. I do know that the Messiah is coming. When he arrives, we’ll get the whole story.”

“I am he,” said Jesus. “You don’t have to wait any longer or look any further.”

John 4:21-26 The Message

Jesus continued his conversation with the woman at the well. She raises a question about where to worship.

Jesus gives her three very distinct answers.

1. Who you are does not matter

Your social status, ethnic status, economic status, or religious association does not give you an inside track on worshipping God.

His ear is open to the sincere and not status.

2. Where you worship does not matter

Worship is not a matter of location but instead of the heart. God’s ear is not open to one place and closed to another. His ear is open to the sincere.

3. Worshipping the Father is possible because of Jesus

Salvation comes by accepting Jesus Christ as your savior. Worship happens because of a grateful heart.

Jesus has made the way; your acceptance of that way opens your heart to the promises of God. It fills your heart with gratitude that is released as worship unto God.

 

The essence of a close personal relationship with the Godhead is revealed in John 4:24. I like the image The Message Bible uses to depict God.

“God is sheer being itself – Spirit…”

John 4:24 The Message

Spirit means power, like the wind.

Imagine the power of the wind. It can be a soft, gentle breeze providing refreshing relief on a hot summer day or tornado-force winds damaging everything in its path.

The funny thing about the wind is that no one has to ask if it is the wind. It is distinctive, and everyone recognizes it even though no one sees it.

I recall driving back to Florida from Nebraska. A strong storm was approaching from the west. I remember feeling the force of the wind as we headed south. The wind did not let up until we reached Mississippi.

The force of the wind from the storm could be felt for hundreds of miles. It was everywhere at the same time.

Our awesome God is like that.

Jesus continued by saying that we are to worship God out of our very being—our spirit.

You are made in the image and likeness of God. You are spirit, and your reborn spirit is passionate about worshipping creator God.

 

A close personal relationship with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit comes from your reborn spirit. It is as natural—and necessary—as breathing.

This is why Jesus calls it our true selves. It is in our DNA to offer worship to God.

 

Sin interrupted this flow, and a sinful life makes it difficult for some (perhaps many) to freely offer worship to God after being born again.

A close personal relationship is about retraining yourself to operate in your original design.

It is a journey of patience (something I do best–) and persistence, with many rewarding stops along the way.

It is a journey that must be taken alone and with like-minded companions.

Think of it this way.

Jesus had 12 disciples—committed followers.

He was closest to John.

He was closer to Peter and James.

He was close to the other nine.

Jesus knew all 12 and was close to them. He was closer to some because their hearts were open to him being closer to him.

A close personal relationship with the Godhead is needed now more than ever.

 

A close personal relationship with the Godhead is a journey. I invite you to follow along. As I learn, I will pass it along so you, too, can learn. I hope that as you learn, you can pass it along so that I (and others) might learn.