Monday, January 13, 2020

2020.01.13 Hopewell @Home ▫ John 4:16-26

Questions from the Scripture text: Whom does Jesus tell the woman to bring (John 4:16)? Why isn’t she able to do so (John 4:17)? How many husbands has she had (John 4:18)? Is the man she is living with now even her husband? What does the woman say to change the subject (John 4:19)? To what subject does she change (John 4:20)? What question does she ask? Which option does Jesus choose, from her options for a worship place (John 4:21)? But whom does Jesus say had it right (John 4:22)? Now what is the place of worshiping the Father (John 4:23)? How can we get there (John 4:24)? Whom does the woman say she is waiting for, to straighten her out on this issue (John 4:25)? What does Jesus say about Himself in John 4:26?
In John 4:26, Jesus declares to the woman with whom He has been speaking that He is the “I AM” of the burning bush that first gave her honored mountain its precious place in the history of worship. How she must have marveled! Perhaps, she understood a little at the time, but certainly she grew in her understanding over time: this Man who had engaged her, when no one else would, was doing so because He and His Father are one, and He was seeking her to be a worshiper—at the cost of His own atoning death!

We, too, must grow in our appreciation for what a glorious thing the New Testament worship assembly is! The Father seeks worshipers. And He has sent His Son into the world to redeem them, that they might be sanctified and brought all the way home. This is why the worship assembly, Lord’s Day by Lord’s Day, is such a wonderful reminder of our redemption.

We could not “worship in spirit and truth” except by His blood, sanctifying us and making the way for us to draw near to our glorious God! “My God, My God, why have You forsaken me” (Psalm 22:1) culminates in “I will declare Your name to My brethren; in the midst of the assembly I will praise You” (Psalm 22:22; cf. Hebrews 2:10-13). So, when we come to the worship service, our bodies can take us to the assembly; but, because of Christ’s blood, by faith we may enter heaven itself, where Jesus Spiritually and truly leads our worship. And, when we do so, it announces to us just how glorious it is that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit has sought us to be worshipers!
Where does corporate worship spiritually and truly take place? What was necessary to get you there? What should we remember whenever we come to public worship?
Suggested Songs: ARP22C “I’ll Praise You in the Gathering” or TPH277 “Before the Throne of God Above”

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