from the VCC newsletter on 7-9-2018: Offer Up!

Over the last few weeks we looked at several words in the Bible typically translated in the English as worship. Because our English Bible only uses one word to translate all of these expressions, we often think of worship in very limited ways, usually only that which we have been taught. With each new word we learned more about what it actually means to worship.

Last week we looked at the Greek word proskeneo, to kiss toward or bow down. This week we are continuing with two more words, this time in Hebrew, that also express the idea of bowing down. These two Hebrew words are ‘shachah’ and ‘sagad.’  

The word ‘shachah’ occurs 172 times in the Old Testament and is typically associated with obedience, bowing down as an act of obedience towards a master. This position assumes the bower is subserviant and will do the will of the master. For us to bow down before God in worship is a recognition of the greatness of God, and most importantly, signals willing obedience.

The second term ‘sagad’ refers to bowing down as an act of paying homage, and is often used in contexts other than worship.  It is most often used as someone seeking the favor of a lord, master or deity. For us this would be seeking God’s favor.

While shachah and sabad and last week’s proskeneo all mean to bow down, each has its own unique connotation. In each case these words are used very literally to express worship, and together they depict worshippers bowing down to worship God more than 200 times.  There are numerous reasons why we might figuratively bow down before God in worship, but there is no doubt it was normal for Jews and Christians in both the Old and New Testaments to regularly and physically worship God  from their knees.

Next week we will look at the idea worshipping God through serving with the Greek word leitourgia.

from the VCC Newsletter 7-2-2018: Kissing Up to God

Continuing our series on worship, today I want to look at the Greek word proskeneo, which occurs over 60 times in the New Testament. It is mostly translated in English as worship. It expresses intimacy in worship and literally means “to kiss toward while falling down before the divine.” In most New Testament passages it is used to express people’s response to Jesus’ mercy by falling to his feet to kiss them and worship him. The word was rarely used in ancient Greek because it was culturally seen as a humiliating act.  While Greeks thought of it as undignified, Christians thought of it as an example of pure devotion, which was common among the Hebrews who thought nothing of humbling themselves before God in expression of worship.

Today in our Western culture, like all Greco-Roman influenced cultures, the idea of being prostrate on the ground, kissing the feet of Jesus, does not sit well with people. The Catholic church has employed this act of worship with kneeling benches, but in the protestant church kneeling is mostly unheard of.

Some suggest this act is in the heart rather than physical, but in the New Testament, 59 out of 60 times, the act is physical not metaphorical. Over the years I have often felt driven to my knees in worship, my heart taken captive by the majesty of Jesus or the awe of his presence. Even then,  I must confess, it is still an expression rarely present in the modern church. As with everything, there are exceptions, and with my recent knee injury I can understand this. For most of us the real issue isn’t that we can’t, but we feel it is undignified. It is a humbling act of worship. Yet, in the scriptures, there is something about the quality of every event where the word is used . . . they are grateful. Specifically, in almost every time it appears in the gospels, the person falls at Jesus feet because he has rescued, healed, or saved them. As you consider what it means for you to worship God, let me invite you to consider moving out of your comfort zone and stepping into a place of humility and gratefulness. Bow down at the feet of Jesus and kiss the son.

Next week we will look at two Hebrew words: shachah, which occurs 172 times in the Old Testament, and sagad’.

From the VCC newsletter 6-25-2018: Worship Service?

6-25-2018

As we continue this series on worship, today I want to  look at the Hebrew word abad and the Greek word latreuo. Abad is translated as latreuo in the Greek version of the Old Testament, known as the Septuagint or LXX.  The word latreuo appears in the New Testament twenty-one times.

These two words are mostly translated into English as serve or service and secondly as worship, in certain contexts. The Hebrew word is used to explain what a priest does at the altar in the Temple and Tabernacle sacrifices. We see this best in the New Testament when we read in Romans 12.1: “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” While the ESV translators tried very hard to translate the meaning of the text, a more literal translation would say “this is our service of worship” rather than “spiritual worship.” What they wanted to convey is that we do not cut up animals or sprinkle blood in our worship, but like a priest, we offer to God our worship, which is a spiritual rather than literal sacrifice. Still the imagery is meant to convey our worship (regardless of form: song, giving, etc) is no less authentic in sacrifice. Or at least it shouldn't be . . .

I am big on the idea that everyone is unique and an offer of praise to God must come from the heart. But I also believe it should take us out of our comfort zones. Real worship has an element of sacrifice which steps-up and gives to God what is due him, not just what we enjoy or prefer. Sometimes this means I step out of my comfort zone in worship. Sometimes I sing songs that stretch my belief.  Sometimes I express my worship in ways that are uncomfortable. There was a time God had me dance with all my might before the Lord as David did. Men don’t usually dance in our culture as an expression of worship. It was uncomfortable for me. Please hear me: I am not asking everyone to dance, only God can do that. My point is we offer, we sacrifice, we serve God in worship, not just our appetites or preferences. It means I sing out not because my voice is beautiful (as it says in Psalm 98.4 to make a joyful noise), but because my heart is full of his goodness, kindness, and joy.

Next week we'll take a look at the word proskeneo.

From the VCC 6-18-2018 newsletter: What is Worship?

What is worship? The term worship can be applied to the entire life of a Christian, all that we do and everything we are should be an act of that gives God glory.

There are several words in our Bible that are translated as “worship,” each with its own unique nuance. This means our single use of the word gives us a very limited view of what worship is all about. Over the next few weeks I plan to look at the words we translate as “worship” and look at how real worship helps us convey to the Lord his worthiness worthy of our praise, adoration, service, attention, trust, and so much more.

First we begin with our word Worship: it has its roots in the medieval title of honor, weorthscipe, given to those who were of high rank in society.  It was akin to calling someone a lord or lady. It was meant to denote someone who was worthy of respect and honor. Therefore the early Bible translators sought to translate the many Greek and Hebrew words associated with temple acts through a single word to communicate a single overall concept, believing the ideas attached to those many words would be understood by the context. This is unfortunate because we have lost many of the mental pictures the different words were meant to communicate. My hope is, as we learn about these words, that  it will give you greater freedom of expression and deepen your experience of God through experiencing these new acts of worship.

Join me next week as we learn about the words abad and latreuo and what they tell us about the connection between worship and service.