Page 16 - Livin Light Issue 81

Friday June 16 - True worshippers
“...true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth...” John 4:23
It’s interesting to note that Jesus speaks more about worshippers than about the act of worship itself. It’s not that form is unimportant – it’s vital if worship is to be genuine – but the heart takes a sharper focus. So how did Jesus get on to worship? In unmasking the woman’s private life Jesus is understood by her to be a (Jewish) prophet, and with that she proceeds to debate the rights and wrongs of where one should worship. Jesus makes it clear that as far as orthodoxy is concerned the Jews were the faithful ones, but now, with his arrival, a new era in salvation history has begun. The relevance of Jerusalem or Samaria to correct worship has come to an end.
What qualifies as acceptable worship, says Jesus, is rooted in one’s relationship to God, beginning with the necessity of new birth by the Holy Spirit. So worship, in this New Covenant age, is not restricted to a place – God’s people can worship anywhere, at any time. We do not define worship; for it to be truly God-glorifying it must be in spirit and truth, from the core of our being, according to the teaching of the Scriptures. God the Father is actively seeking such worshippers (not just worship), who delight in him above all others, offering up every part of their lives in adoration. It has rightly been said, “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him.”
Lord Jesus, may my life be an offering of worship to you. Amen.
Saturday June 17 - The Saviour of the world
“We believe...and know that this is indeed the Saviour of the world.”
John 4:42
The way Jesus confronted the Samaritan woman’s sin caused her to acknowledge that he was a prophet. It also provided the content of her testimony to her fellow Samaritans. Fresh from her meeting with Jesus at the well, having heard from his own lips that he was the long-expected Messiah, you can imagine her excitement and the urgency with which she hurried back to town to tell everyone about him. Her friends’ interest is piqued by the supernatural nature of his insight into the woman, and immediately they believe in Jesus. Not satisfied with the woman’s testimony alone, they want to meet the one in whom they have believed. And over a two-day period, Jesus explains the ‘Word’ concerning himself. As a result of this extended ‘sermon’, many more place their faith in Christ. And it started with the woman’s testimony!
We may not think our Christian own testimony very spectacular, but here’s the thing – it’s our testimony to Jesus that counts. It’s telling his story – from cradle to cross, from the resurrection to his return – that draws people to him. Faith comes by hearing the word of Christ (Romans 10:17). The power is in the gospel for the salvation for all who believe (Romans 1:16). Jesus promised this woman, and all who ‘drink’ of him, that the life-giving water of his presence would not just dwell within a person but would well up and flow out from them to others (John 4:14 & 7:38).
Father God, please enable me to testify to the saving grace and beauty of Jesus. Amen.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
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PRAYER FOR TODAY