‘But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. ‘- John 4:23 NKJV
The advent of phones brought the convenience of making calls, but a new challenge arose. Phone users became weary of their battery life. They constantly had to worry about being around a power station and sitting around it for hours until the phone batteries were recharged. A few years later, power banks entered the market and fixed the problem as they became an everywhere-you-go power station. The same can be said of a New Testament believer.
In the Old Testament, the Jews had to worship in a physical temple as God instructed them to through Moses (Exodus 25: 8-9, Hebrews 9:1). This system of worship continued even when Jesus lived amongst the Jews. However, the law was only a shadow of what was to come.
Jesus came to establish a new ordinance of prayer, a shift from the physical temple worship of the Old Testament. In Jesus’s conversation with the Samaritan woman, she stated that according to the Jews, the place of worship was Jerusalem (John 4:20-22). Jesus’ response is what we reflect on in our anchor text. Indeed, the time spoken of by Jesus is now (Philippians 3:3).
As a result, we have become God’s habitation, and because He lives in us, we can offer our offerings and sacrifices by the words of our mouth (Hebrews 13:15). This intimate connection, as Apostle Paul stated, is not confined to a temple made with hands (Acts 17: 24)
Like Jesus, we are God’s children and have the same privilege of access to God. We can follow His example and pray on the mountain, in the garden, and in front of the tomb of Lazarus (Matthew 14:23, John 11 41-42). What an honor it is to have this privilege! (Romans 5:1-2).
However, as Christians in this age who ought to continue in the apostle’s doctrine, corporate prayer in a place and at a particular time is necessary (Acts 3:1). This is not out of fear or bondage of the law but for accountability and for the edification of the body (Hebrews 10:25).
Dear believer, what a privilege we have in Christ! You are the circumcision that worships God in spirit and truth.
Bible Reading Plan: 2 Chronicles 17-19; Luke 11:45-12:12