Prepare the Way


 

  I think it's safe to say that my favorite example of corporate worship in the Bible, is in the book of Luke, otherwise known as the story of Palm Sunday. Maybe because I've seen too many Easter plays, but it's just so vivid and really depicts the purpose of worship.

 They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it.  As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road.  When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:
 “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” -Luke 19:35-38 

   I love how the process is laid out in this story. The laying down of the cloaks for the King to sit on, and in the street to make a way. The joyful praise of voices raised together, praising Him for not only what he had done, but because of who He IS! The King of all Kings. The crowd was preparing the city, just for the King to come through!
  So how does this relate to today's worship service? We gather in the same way to sing and shout praise to our God, our King. In unity we lay our cloaks down, we forget about ourselves and focus on His greatness. Notice the how the crowd didn't leave the city, but Jesus came TO THEM. In essence, that is exactly what we're doing.. laying down our cloaks and preparing the way for HIM to walk in the room, for HIM to come to US! A King so powerful, and so great brings HIS presence to US! When we worship, we are preparing our hearts to receive what He has for us. I like to think of a Bride and groom dancing, and all the joys and tears involved in that. It's exactly what He does with us as a body, He takes us by the hand and leads us in a beautiful dance of freedom.  How awesome is our God???

 As an imperfect soul, I sometimes lose sight of this. I get tired and don't feel like worshiping, or my mind wanders to something that needs to be done at home etc. But Jesus Himself tells us, if we don't cry out, the stones will! I don't know about you, but I'm not about to let some dead rock out do me! ;)
Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!”
 “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” - Luke 19:39&40


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