But an hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and in truth. Yes, the Father wants such people to worship him. (John 4:23, CSB)
You see, before Jesus spoke this revolutionary statement, there was only one appropriate place to worship God, the temple in Jerusalem. Over and over in the Old Testament, kings and priests in Israel and Judah were judged by God as good or bad as to whether they allowed worship anywhere else. These places they worshiped were known as "high places." And God was not pleased with Israelite's' decision to worship there.
But now, it had changed, worship would no longer be a place, but a position... a position of the heart. Our hearts should now worship in Spirit and in truth.
What does that mean? MacArthur writes, "God-honoring worship doesn't mercy conform to external religious rituals but must flow from hearts that are right with God and lives that are consistent with Scripture" (MacArthur, John. 2000. John:Jesus-The Word, the Messiah, the Son of God. MacArthur Bible Studies. Nashville, TN. W Publishing Group). There is no worship that is not heart-driven. Nor is there worship that is not God-focused. These are not two ways to worship, but must work together, hand-in-hand. Yes, it must be about us, because our hearts are must be right with God. Yes, it must be about God, because the true God is the only One worthy of our worship.
It is "Spirit and truth" that makes our worship meaningful, satisfying, and purposeful. Because we want to experience authentic worship, we must surrender our hearts to the God of all that is. The great I am. He is the immortal, invisible only wise God. It is then that my worship with becomes that which the Spirit of God reveals of the Triune God, "For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever. Amen." (Romans 11:36, CSB). My worship is worth worshiping because of this One who is worthy and open to my authentic worship. Look to Him and enjoy Him forever.
