Come Let Us Worship, Day 3, December 3

As a father of three girls there is little doubt that I am captivated by them and so proud of their achievements.  When I think of them I rarely think of them as babies.  But what fond memories of those young years!  I was the patient and they were the attending physicians.  What fun it was doing their hair and bathing on Saturday nights.  But when I think of my daughters, I never immediately think of those infant years. Those years were precious because I saw grown, mature, beautiful women clothed in the flesh of an infant.  As I consider my Lord, likewise, I rarely think of him as a boy-child (although he was).

No, when it comes to worship, we see our Saviour is exalted.  Once a child-King now reigns as King of kings. “Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.” (Revelation 5:6, NIV)

Or earlier, John wrote, “and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.” (Revelation 1:13–16, NIV)

The noun worship comes from the old English meaning a condition of being worthy, dignity, glory, distinction, honour, or renown. The primary Greek verb to worship is proskuneo (προσκυνέω) and is compound meaning pros, “towards,” and kuneo, “to kiss”.  It’s an act of homage or reverence.  A second most common New Testament word for worshipping is  latreuo (λατρεύω) meaning to serve.

Such was the case in around 740 B.C. when King Uzziah died.  In a vision the prophet Isaiah saw the Lord Jesus Christ.  The prophet wrote, “I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple.”^[1]   This was indeed the Second Person of the Trinity, Christ in his pre-incarnate glory. The Apostle John by inspiration of the Spirit confirms that this is the Christ.[2]

Worship or the giving of honour and service go hand in hand with seeing the Lord, high and lifted up. “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”” (Isaiah 6:8, NIV)

Jesus always possessed the glory of His royal divinity.  In the crib in Bethlehem it was only obvious to those who looked beyond the child to the King.

Born a King on Bethlehem's plain
Gold I bring to crown Him again
King for ever, ceasing never
Over us all to reign!

“On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.” (Matthew 2:11, NIV)

Jesus was always a King.  Yes, temporarily clothed in infant humanity, but always a King.

Father, hidden inconspicuously among the gifts, the bows, the presents and all the fuss is royalty.  Somewhat forgotten lies One clothed with majesty, power and glory.  He always was King and he always will be.  Enable us by your grace, to see within the wrappings and the trappings, One who calls us to worship; One who is destined to be preeminent in all things; and one to whom we owe our service.  May it be so, Lord Jesus. 

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^[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Is 6:1). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

[2] John 12:41