December 11, 2002
Reading: Luke 17:11-19

 

“Where are the nine?” (17)

 

Well may this question be asked today! Where are those who return and worship God at the feet of Jesus? Out of the millions who make an outward confession of belief in Jesus, so few ever find themselves glorifying God and thanking Him as did this Samaritan leper.

When we read of someone worshipping God in the Bible, it is said they “bowed down” or “fell on their face” and worshipped. As one who was born and raised in England, I am very familiar with dignitaries, domestic and foreign, bowing before the Queen. This act is an outward expression of respect for who she is and the position she holds. She is the Sovereign and, as such, demands the respect of her subjects. How much more then should we who love God, worship Him who is the Sovereign of all creation, yet how little we know about worship. What is worship?

Worship is an expression of respect. We worship Him because of who He is. “To whom then will you liken Me, Or to whom shall I be equal?” says the Holy One” Isa 40:25. “Give unto the LORD the glory due to His name; Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness” Ps 29:2. see also Rev 4:10-11.

Worship is an expression of awe. When the Holy Spirit reveals traces (for that is all it is) of the glory and majesty of Christ, our immediate and natural reaction is to fall before Him. Both Ezekiel (1:28) and John (Rev 1:17) fell prostrate before the glorified Christ when they saw Him in His majesty. The brilliance of Christ’s glory knocked the leader of the persecution to the ground (Acts 9:3-4). While in these bodies we cannot behold the full glory of Christ for it would kill us. Even the face of Moses, when God permitted him to see the “afterglow” of His glory” shone so bright the people could not tolerate to look on him. One day, when we have been given our resurrection bodies, we shall see Him as He is, but, until then, we are given the privilege to worship Him in “spirit and in truth” (John 4:24).

Worship is an expression of gratitude. The more we come to realize what God has done for us and is doing for us, the more our hearts bow before Him (Rev 11:16-18).

Worship is an expression of submission. When a defeated enemy meets his conqueror, he bows before him, and by so doing submits to his authority. We are a conquered people, yet what a struggle we face to bow before God and acknowledge Him as Lord of all, including our lives. George Matheson expressed it wonderfully when he wrote:

Make me a captive, Lord, And then I shall be free;

Force me to render up my sword, And I shall conqueror be.

I sink in life’s alarms, When by myself I stand,

Imprison me within Thine arms, And strong shall be my hand.

As conquered people we submit to Him whose mighty force is love. Our prison is an open throne room where we have the opportunity to worship God.

“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever” Isa 9:6-7. “Worship God” (Rev 22:9).