Worship 12 The Great Reality---Worship

[HKHaugan]

Olympic Gold. Lombardi Trophy. World Cup. Those three symbolize the crest of achievement in the world of sporting endeavors for individuals and teams. Imagine the dedication demanded in setting a performance goal, a rigid tiring training regimen and concentrated daily practice held in the vision of standing on the podium receiving the world's highest honor. That is human worship in a nutshell.

Now shift your gaze to the every day individual like each of us in the massive sea of images of God moving about in the world. No trophy awaits, no great applause and no admiration society at the stage door. For us who believe that the greatest goal is not made of gold. No, it is rather that moment of no longer being a “...poor reflection in a mirror.” No, because we will stand in the Lord's presence, “...then we shall see face to face ((1Cor.13:12).” A trophy fades in the dust and its momentary glory is but a wisp of fragrance in memory's dimming night. But the glory of an eternal relationship believed, trusted and shaped by faith never ends. “Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known vs.12).” So what is that really remains? “Faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love (vs.13).” Even at this moment every mind and heart knows that what really matters is relational, invisible and lodged deep within. The satisfaction of life is not in what is seen but in what is unseen. This is why Jesus came. The real treasure is not a trophy, a medal, a degree or the admiration of others but being at one with the One God who made us. The moment of exhilarating emotional pleasure gained in a medal presentation is translated into a spiritual eternity of personal acceptance in Jesus for every one who receives Him as Savior and Lord. The beginning of that experience is found in the words Jesus spoke on the side of a mount in Galilee.

When Jesus takes us to the Sermon on the Mount there are three spiritual realities emphasized here. One, it is He, the Messiah, that is taking us. Two, it is up on a Mount, a place above the world. Three, it is to worship by hearing, seeing, embracing and sharing together His presence and teaching, an encounter of hearts with the heart of God. In each of these a message is being sent. Let's take each one.

First, the Messiah. Jesus is appealing to the hearts of His disciples that He is in fact the Messiah and proving it not by a new interpretation of the Law nor for revolutionary action against Rome nor even gaining a radical following to start a new Judaism. His was totally different. He was appealing to the individual heart by exposing its spiritual aloneness, frailty and separation from God and offering a return personally to God and one another. Most importantly He is the only One through whom these insights can be realized. It is His nature. He is naturally what He teaches. The very fact that He has to teach them at all is because we by nature don't have them. It takes The Messiah, not just any good and charismatic personality, to bring this kind of awareness. In this case Messiah Jesus is God in the flesh, There is no messiah or prophet beyond or before Him. He is the fulfillment of all prior prophecy and the only hope for the future of every heart. No one but God has these kinds of teachings naturally flowing from his heart. He is “God from God, Light from Light, True God from True God; begotten not made, being of one substance with the Father, through whom all things were made.”

Second, the Mount. Consistent with God's revelation throughout Scripture, high places were recognized as possible religious points of spiritual connection not only for the Hebrews but also for other belief systems as well. The Samaritans worshiped on Mt. Gerizim. The Baals were worshiped on 'high places' with burnt sacrifices. Pagan temples could be found on many promontories like those for Greek and Roman deities. Even for those who are not spiritually inclined, mountains draw people to the natural beauty of their ridges, forests and views, a kind of mystical reverence that believers know as God's hand touching the human heart and its quest for seeing things above. Jerusalem is built on Mount Zion. Abraham, Moses and all the generations that followed were drawn to the heights as Scripture describes when it says, “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord who made Heaven and earth (Ps.121:1-2).” Clearly 'up' is our focus. 'Up' is above man. Looking up is worship. Whatever we place above ourselves is what we worship.

Third, worship. Jesus wants us to have a heart encounter 'above the world.' What better picture surrounding us than a mount with its neighboring valleys and views? This image is the Creator's platform for such an encounter. In our time think about the astronauts. Neil Armstrong remembered the impact of his July, 1969 first step on the moon when he said, “One small step for a man; one giant leap for mankind.” While it was really way up there for most of us it is still the 'up' dimension that gets us to view where the heart finds its rhythm.

Humans in general place things they value in an upper position. That's worship. From a speaker's podium to governmental assemblies the above position elevates what is being presented. Pulpits place the preacher in a visual loft called a pulpit to bring messages from 'above.' Stages sit above audiences for concerts and plays. Movies have screens. Symphonies are conducted above an audience and from a podium. We 'look up' to people of 'high' position. We are constructed to admire things 'above' in the 'heavens' and listen to 'lofty thoughts' and prefer socializing and 'namedropping' with those of 'higher status' and possessing things that are 'high class.' It seems everyone wants to 'move up' in society. Even the negative picture pops up when people try to 'rise above their station' or think they are 'high and mighty' who are obviously suffering from a 'superiority complex' and think they are 'above' the rest of us or 'above it all.' Then too, don't we wish we could just 'rise above it all?'

When human leadership, both religious and political, had judged Jesus, they did it from seats of 'higher authority.' That was worship perverted. But when Jesus went to the Cross it was on 'Mount' Calvary above those seats. When He said 'Father forgive them because they don't know what they are doing,' that was worship redeemed. When He was 'raised' from the dead He 'ascended' into Heaven and we were told by the angels to look 'up' because He would return the way He was seen leaving (Acts 1:11). That was worship fulfilled.

The absolute pinnacle in all of this drive to 'upper' can only be realized when social class, high office, upper level achievement and higher education find their replacement in a relationship with highest of the High, Almighty God, Creator of Heaven and earth as He revealed Himself in the Lord of lords and King of kings, Jesus who is seated at the right hand of the Father. He is in the highest of heights, the Kingdom of Heaven in Whom and where there is no beginning and no end. So we pray that those who have 'arrived' by world standards will see Jesus and use their station to be witnesses to this greater glory. This is worship realized.

Outside of Heaven, in a lake of fire far 'below,' sin, death and their instigator, the devil who is the prince of fading moments, are finally destroyed (Rev.20:10). As Kingdom citizens we have the highest station as God's personal children with the highest calling to be His humblest servant in the presence of others. That is what worship is all about. That's what the Sermon on the Mount directs and the Holy Spirit empowers. The King of kings does the rest. The shift from the Super Bowl to the Lord's Supper, from world trophies to Heaven's treasures, from Mt.Olympus to Mt.Calvary---worship completed.