Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Divine Revelation In Worship

Mark 1: 21-28

Rev. Mathew Baby

Vicar, St. Mathew’s MTC, Toronto.
21 They went to Capernaum; and when the Sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught.

Mark, a writer with an idea of promoting the work of Jesus more than the person of Christ, is  writing about an early episode in the life of Jesus. It is placed immediately after the description of the baptism, the temptation of Jesus, and the calling of the disciples. Jesus always gave prime importance for worship which is closely linked to the proclamation of the truth. Part of worshiping  in spirit and in truth (John 4:24)  is also proclaiming His word and divine revelation with boldness.

Jesus entered the Synagogue and taught them with Divine authority from the Father. The authority is a term having many divided ideas. Today all are seeking the authority to rule. But Jesus gave a new dimension to the authority entrusted to Him.
In the great commission – “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” ( Mathew 28: 18-20) He speaks with authority.  But the same Jesus, in His ministry is paying His tax and showing that He is under the earthly authority. By rejecting the plea of John and James, by stating that the Father decides the seating in the Kingdom of Heaven, He reminds us that He is under the authority of the Father. A person who respects authority can impose and impart authority over others.  While preaching and teaching are major ingredients of true biblical worship, modelling it with courage in an ungodly culture is important.

Jesus revealed His authority through love, compassion, forgiveness, consolation, healing, empathy and demonstrated it with courage in a culture which believed in the outward rituals but lacked authenticity. Here we can see the authority of Jesus as compassion to a person coming for worship. A person, due to his infirmity disturbs the worship, but Jesus uses His divine intervention to show His authority of compassion and healing.  Jesus is using His authority to transform every problem into a possibility. This should happen in all forms of worship. When everyone enjoys the Divine presence, irrespective of the physical and mental stature, we can see the Divine revelation in worship.

As Warren Wiersbe   said "Worship is the believer's response of all that they are – mind, emotions, will, body – to what God is and says and does.", and  the response and healing of the demon filled person reveals this. Can we enjoy this in our contemporary worship?

PRAYER

O God, we trust in Your power to create, sustain, and to enable us  to be victorious. Let us trust in Your authority to show compassion to the needy ones around us. We know that You are near. Be with us Lord when we gather for worship. Help us not to check our minds or our hearts at the door, but enable us to bring all that we are to You, so that we might experience Your touch in all aspects of our life. We pray because of, and in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Divine Revelation in Worship is surrendering all realms of life to the Authority of God. 
 

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