Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Divine Revelation In
Worship
Mark 1: 21-28
Vs.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. Enable us to bring all that we are to You, so
that we might experience Your touch in all aspects of our life. Amen
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Divine Revelation in Worship is surrendering all realms of life to
the Authority of God.
Rev. Mathew Baby, Jubilee Mandiram, Kottarakkara.