Over the last few weeks we have been looking at the purpose for why we gather together each week. The quick answer would be "we gather to worship." What we are seeking to do here is to unpack what that means for us in the context of the corporate gathering. We want to come better prepared for worship and be able to fully participate in this gathering. Last time we looked at the second part of our purpose, "to celebrate the communion that is now possible with God."
I have never been to the Grand Canyon, but it is on my list of things to do. Consider how ridiculous it would be to travel all the way to Arizona, walk within feet of the rim of this spectacular marvel and yet only look at a picture of the canyon. You could talk all you want about how breathtaking it was, but until you actually gaze over the edge and take it all in, I don't think you are really celebrating it. The same is true in our worship. We can extol the wonders of who God is and what He has done, but until we have actually gazed upon Him and drawn near into His presence, we have not truly celebrated Him.
The writer of Hebrews proclaims in 10:19-22a,
"Father, may we truly celebrate the communion that is now possible with You through the blood of Jesus. May we recognize the truth that we don't ever have to work our way there. May we come together already in Your presence and may we leave our gathering time closer to one another because we have been before Your throne together! Amen."
I have never been to the Grand Canyon, but it is on my list of things to do. Consider how ridiculous it would be to travel all the way to Arizona, walk within feet of the rim of this spectacular marvel and yet only look at a picture of the canyon. You could talk all you want about how breathtaking it was, but until you actually gaze over the edge and take it all in, I don't think you are really celebrating it. The same is true in our worship. We can extol the wonders of who God is and what He has done, but until we have actually gazed upon Him and drawn near into His presence, we have not truly celebrated Him.
The writer of Hebrews proclaims in 10:19-22a,
"Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near . . . "At any moment, we can by faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ, our high priest, draw near to God! Think about that! We don't have to build up to a climactic moment in our worship services where we are finally able to come into God's presence. It is not our work that gets us there. It is Christ's finished work. So when we gather together let us draw near. Don't hold back thinking you are not worthy to come. Christ makes us worthy! Don't let doubt hold you back, thinking that you just can't feel God's presence. Faith allows us to see that we are there! Let us come before God's throne and in doing so we are celebrating Him.
"Father, may we truly celebrate the communion that is now possible with You through the blood of Jesus. May we recognize the truth that we don't ever have to work our way there. May we come together already in Your presence and may we leave our gathering time closer to one another because we have been before Your throne together! Amen."
Songs for Our Gathering this Week:
You Are Holy
Majestic
by Lincoln Brewster
Rejoice
by Dustin Kensrue
My Lighthouse
by Rend Collective
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