“The WHO of Worship” (Ready to Worship S11E1)

January 24, 2020

Ready to Worship Season 11, Episode 1 for Friday, January 24, 2020

This season on Ready to Worship, we are considering the basic questions of worship – who, what, when, where, why, and how. In this podcast, we are considering the WHO of worship. Millions of people are confused on this fundamental matter. Working as a missionary to Central America and to Mexico has really opened my eyes to this confusion; especially, to the worship of Mary. Market places, restaurants, and shops are filled with images and pictures of Mary. Often, candles are burning in adoration of her. I have watched as individuals bowed down in prayer and worship to her. I have seen school children carrying statues of her through the streets. Seemingly, no one thinks anything about it. Although Mary was highly favored among women (Lk. 1:28), there is no example of her being worshipped in Scripture. In fact, there is much evidence against it. First, when someone tried to exalt Mary, Jesus corrected them. Luke records, “And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked. But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it” (Lk. 11:27-28). Secondly, when individuals tried to worship men or angels, they were corrected. As you recall, Cornelius tried to worship Peter. Luke records, “And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man” (Acts 10:25-26). Just contemplate how different this reaction is from those who claim to be successors of Peter today. They readily accept worship. In addition to the correction of Cornelius, the Bible records the correction of John. As you recall, John tried to worship an angel. John himself wrote, “And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things. Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God” (Rev. 22:8-9; cf. 19:10). Could it be any clearer? “See thou do it not?” “Worship God.” As we get ready to worship this week, let’s make sure that the WHO is correct. If we miss this matter, nothing else really matters.