Worship of Jesus provides needed power (Saturday)

Theme: Week 1- Jesus as God Incarnate
Theme for 6 Weeks- Who is Jesus and what difference does it make?

Read Matthew 14:22-33
John 20:19-28

In these two scenes from the life of Jesus- one a pre-Easter and the other a post-Easter setting- we see Jesus being worshipped. In John, it is a climax to the gospel account in which Thomas declares, “My Lord and my God!” I believe this worship of Jesus is grounded in the theme for this week of Jesus as God Incarnate.

Considering this idea of worshipping Jesus can be confusing if we think that we have two Gods. We don’t. Willard Swartley in his book, “Send Forth Your Light,” spends time making the case for a high Christology (fancy word for study of the nature of Jesus), Christianity that is monotheistic (fancy word for one God), and cites numerous places where Jesus is worshipped.

I offer these two sentences from Swartley as a place for your prayer, listening, reflection, worship and commitment this day. “…worship of Jesus empowers both the mission assigned to Jesus’ followers, to proclaim the gospel to all nations, and also the call to peacemaking, living out our new identity as God’s children. Falling at Jesus’ feet in worship provides the humility and the strength to do what is humanly impossible: love enemies and share the gospel with all people.” (p. 218)

This aligns with some of our core values here at The Bridge (our church in Denver): a Christ-centered faith and commitment to service and social justice (as I see it, peacemaking is part of this; Swartley uses peacemaking and social justice, I assume, would flow out of the Gospel of peace).

And here is what is essential, in our personal lives and in the life of our faith community: worship of Jesus, God Incarnate, empowers us to do mission, serve the poor and marginalized, seek justice in our city, be peacemakers in our community, and address issues that need systemic change. For living in this way is something that is beyond what is humanly possible.

When we worship Jesus we name who is Lord- not Caesar, not anyone or anything else. We worship the one who saves and rescues us- it is God who saves, Jesus who saves, and not us. And, we are empowered when we fall at Jesus’ feet.

Question: What might take place in me this day if I exclaimed, like Thomas, “My Lord and my God!”? What are the places in my life where I am in need of power- to do those things which are beyond my human strength alone?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I worship you. You are Lord and no other. It is God who saves; it is you who save; I cannot save myself. As I bow down in worship of you, my Lord and my God, may I experience your power to face those things in my life that I cannot do on my own strength. And, may I be empowered to love my family, my friends, the poor, the forgotten, the ones who do not have a voice, and even my enemies. I pray all of this in your name. Amen.