In order to understand the type of worship God wants, we’re going to have to start in the Old Testament. Although we don’t follow the ceremonial laws of God’s people in ages past (the laws related to the priestly service of the Jews in the temple), we can learn a lot about the nature of worship, and how God relates to his people, through the prescriptions he gave the Israelites for worship.
God instituted a form of worship for his people under the Old Covenant that was carried out in the tabernacle (and later in the Jerusalem temple). The specific regulations for worship are described throughout the book of Leviticus, which outlined how to approach God in worship. It becomes clear from the outset that worship is a drawing near to God through sacrifice.
Fundamentally, this shows us that sinful humanity doesn’t just waltz into the presence of a holy God. We come humbly, with our sins atoned for. The Old Testament sacrifices and worship pointed forward to the ultimate sacrifice by which people today can enter into God’s presence. The author to the Hebrews said, “Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith.” (Heb. 10:19-22) The sin offerings of the Old Testament have been replaced by the once-for-all offering up of Jesus Christ for us. The only way we can draw near to God in worship is through Jesus.
Although the Old Testament sacrifices have been replaced by Christ’s singular offering, as God’s priestly people we still come to him bringing spiritual sacrifices through Christ (1 Pet. 2:5). These spiritual sacrifices look like:
- The sacrifice of giving generously and sharing (Heb. 13:16; Phil. 4:18)
- The sacrifices of praise, thanksgiving, and confession of faith (Heb. 13:15)
- The living sacrifice of our own bodies (Heb. 12:1)
These types of sacrifices are often reflected in Christian worship services today. We give generously to God and the work of the gospel through monetary gifts (sometimes referred to as tithes, or offerings); we sing songs and pray prayers of thanksgiving; we confess the truths that we believe as a church; and we offer our wholes selves to God (Rom 12:1) in worship: heart and hands! Even the Lord’s Supper is a kind of sacrifice of thanksgiving, which is why it has historically been referred to by the church as the Eucharist, a word which comes from the Greek word for thanksgiving.
As we consider these great truths, it becomes obvious that the worship of God’s people today isn’t an attempt to try to get God to do something for us. Instead, it’s a response to what he has already accomplished for us in Christ. Jesus offered himself to atone for our sins, and we offer ourselves in response as an act of praise and thanksgiving! The ultimate sacrifice of Jesus should lead us to offer ourselves to God in worship, and to our neighbors in service.
