The Daily LIght -- September 17

The Daily Light – September 17, 2007
Monday Worship Meditation:  "Worship, an Encounter with Christ"
A weekday email devotion from Pastor Christopher Jackson
Saint John's Lutheran Church, Lexington, KY
Bread of Life Lutheran Church, Georgetown, KY

Acts 2:42,46a (ESV):  "And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers . . . . And day by day, [they were] attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes."

The introduction in Lutheran Worship, the "blue hymnal" begins with the words "God speaks, and we listen."

What this is saying is that worship is primarily sacramental.  In other words, worship is primarily God's gift to us of His Word, Jesus Christ, the crucified and risen Savior, whom He gives to us through the reading and exposition (sermon) of the Holy Scriptures and the Sacraments of Holy Baptism, Absolution, and the Lord's Supper.  In worship, Jesus Christ is present among us, bringing healing of soul and body, the forgiveness of sins.

 

This is an important reminder to us of the true meaning of worship, because very often we make worship about us. Usually, we think of worship as our gift to God of adoration and praise.  And, we certainly do adore and praise God in worship.  However, this comes out of gratitude for what God gives to us in worship, His Son.

 

In Acts 2, we see that this was the emphasis of the Apostolic Church.  Having just received the sacrament of Holy Baptism, they studied the Apostles' teaching, what would become the New Testament.  They studied the Old Testament at the Temple.  They broke bread together, an expression which means that they received the Lord's Supper together.

 

This should be an important reminder to us, because too frequently we value worship not for the presence of Christ through Word and Sacrament, but we rather value it for other reasons such as sentimentality, excitement, energy, etc.  Let us turn away from such impulses but rather look to Christ, our Lord and Savior, the King of all Creation, who comes to us personally and communally in the worship of the Church, His bride.

 

Let us pray:  Holy Father, in the time of the Apostles, your Holy Church devoted itself to prayer, Holy Communion, and the study of the Holy Scriptures.  We pray that we might be devoted to these things so that in worship we would joyfully meet your Son, through whom we pray, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

 

--
Pastor Christopher Jackson
Saint John's Lutheran Church

516 Pasadena Drive, Lexington, KY 40503.  Phone and fax:  859-277-6391  Cell: 502-316-2255  Email: revcjackson@gmail.com

http://www.stjohnslex.org    http://bluegrasslutheran.blogspot.com