October 22nd

Exodus 29:1-30:38, Mark 6:6b-29, Proverbs 5:15-23

Sometimes we miss the point when it comes to worship, we just don’t do it in the way that it deserves to be done. We turn up on a Sunday morning hang around for an hour or so, have a coffee and then go home. Do we give to God, do we meet with God?

Now I’m not suggesting that we need to set up a gold alter at the front of church and start burning cows and sheep (we’ve already touched on the fact that Jesus made the sacrifice to end all sacrifices), but we may need to ponder what actually lies at the heart of worship.

Sometimes, when I smell a particular perfume, it takes me back over twenty years to junior and infant schools to a particular teacher who wore that particular scent. It appears that smell is one of the primary triggers for memory. God set aside certain oils and incense that were to be used for worship, they would trigger a sense of God in the people every time they smelt it. It would help them bring themselves before God with hearts of worship.

Throughout this part of Exodus, we see the creation of the space that the people are to use for worship. It is a  space that will point them to the wonder and awesomeness of the Lord almighty. Whether the ideal church for us has a crucifix or a large neon cross, organ or worship band, the 1933 Methodist Hymnbook or projector, simple table or gold alter, candle sticks or whatever, it is what is in our hearts that matters.

Do we really worship God with all our hearts. Can we offer a little bit more?