Worshiping Jesus

Q: Did Jesus accept Worship?

A: Yes, I believe Jesus accepted worship. Worship means reverence paid to a divine being. Jesus certainly qualifies as a divine being since He is God, the second Person of the Trinity. From the beginning of Jesus' life we see examples of Him being worshiped. As soon as the Magi laid eyes on the infant Christ "they bowed down and worshiped Him (Matthew 2:11)."When Jesus made His triumphal entry into Jerusalem the Bible records the initial response He received. "They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting,"Hosanna!""Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Blessed is the King of Israel (John 12:13)!" This type of behavior displayed by the crowd is definitely a form of worship. No where is it recorded that Jesus rebuked the crowds admiration for Him. While in Bethany a woman poured an expensive bottle of perfume over the head of Jesus. When the disciples chastised this woman for "wasting" perfume Jesus rebuked them saying, "Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me (Matthew 26:10)." Again, He accepted her kind act without hesitation.

It is one thing to see isolated examples of Jesus being worshiped by Magi, crowds and a woman whose names aren't even given. But, it is yet another to see those closest to Jesus during His life on earth worshiping Him. Just after Jesus, and even the Apostle Peter for a brief moment, amazed the disciples by walking on water they climbed into a boat where "those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God (Matthew 14:33)." Two memorable examples of Jesus accepting worship are just after His resurrection. Mary Magdalene and Mary were on their way to tell the disciples of the resurrection when Jesus met them on their way. When they realized it was Him they "came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him (Matthew 28:9)." And what may be my favorite example of worshiping Jesus is the case of Thomas. Thomas didn't believe Jesus had risen from the dead despite the other disciples testifying to that fact. It had been about a week since the resurrection and Thomas was still doubting it. Jesus, knowing Thomas was doubting appeared to him and showed him the nail marks and the wound on His side. How did Thomas respond? "Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God (John 20:28)!"" In none of these instances do we see Jesus telling those worshiping Him to stop. However, Jesus did have something to say to them about their worship of Him.

"Jesus said, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father (John 20:17)." Could you imagine hearing Jesus say to you not to hold on to Him after you had just witnessed His brutal death and miraculous resurrection? The disciples were on an emotional roller coaster ride and now they have to process the reality of Him leaving again. But, the words Jesus spoke are an important clue about telling us what true worship of Him really is. Jesus said that those who place faith in Him will do even greater things than He did. Greater things than Jesus? What could be greater than healing the sick, giving sight to the blind, making the lame walk and raising people from the dead? It is raising people from the dead spiritually. All the miracles Jesus performed healed physical ailments, but the reason He returned to the Father was so He could send the Holy Spirit to indwell believers. Mankinds biggest problem is not our sins. Jesus died to take away our sins from the eyes of God. Mankinds biggest problem is not the various and frequent ailments that dog our bodies, including death. Mankinds biggest problem is that all of us come in to this world spiritually dead to God and in need of His life. Now, in Christ, believers have the very life of God restored to us so God, in the Person of the Holy Spirit, can reach the entire world with the Gospel message.

Two thousand years ago you would have to had gone to Jerusalem to find Jesus. Now, wherever a believer is Jesus is there as well. It is in this way that we can do greater things than He did while on earth. Now, because He indwells us, and we are His body, He is able to live through us in order to reach others with His promise of forgiveness and eternal life. This is where the answer to what true worship is can be found. "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship (Romans 12:1)." A living sacrifice can be described as you offering yourself to God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to do with you as He sees fit. Therefore, worshiping God is nothing more than letting Jesus, in the power of the Holy Spirit, live His life in and through you as only He can. He is the only person who ever lived the Christian life and now He wants to live that life through you. All we need to do is let Him. Jesus said "God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth (John 4:24)." We worship God in spirit and truth by allowing Him to use us to fulfill His desire that all men should come to faith in Jesus Christ. Worship is not solely about bowing to God, throwing palm branches at His feet or singing and shouting about our love for Him. Worship is about responding to God's love for us by resting from our works as He completes the work He has began in us.