Reflecting on John 4:19-26“God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the spirit and in truth.” (John 4:23)
The Samaritans half-breed Jews, a mixture of Canaanite and Jewish beliefs.
This woman asks Jesus about a Samaritan vs Jewish worship question.
Historically, the temple in Jerusalem is where God directed the Jews to worship.
So technically, the Jews are right… and yet, not ultimately.
“Yet a time is coming and has now come” (John 4:23) shows that things are changing.
Jesus brings about this change, the light that eliminates the shadows (Colossians 2:17).
The outward symbols of worship (temples, priests, altars, etc) were temporary.
They pointed the people to something deeper: to spiritual reality.
God is spirit, God is not interested in buildings, sacrifices or ceremonies.
God loves us, and God desires us to love back, to love God and people.
To worship is to honour; God desires us to honour and respect God and people.
This honour and respect should be from the heart (in the spirit) and sincere (in truth).
Songs, music, art, church gathers, these are not worship, but outward forms.
Without love, they are “a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.” (1 Corinthians 13:1)
True worship is not confined to a time or place; it is who we are – everywhere and always!
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, God is spirit, and my response to God must be from my inner spirit. Help me to love sincerely, from the heart, wherever I am and whatever I am doing!