Perfect Worship (Ezekiel 41:1-42:9)

Perfect Worship (Ezekiel 41:1-42:9)

What struck me in the continuing description of the temple in Ezekiel’s vision is its perfection.  Everything is measured and shown to be perfectly symmetrical, perfectly laid out.  It is a vision of the perfect temple, the perfect place of worship, the perfect place of God’s presence.

What makes for perfect worship?  Our buildings and our worship certainly aren’t perfect.  There are always things needing repair, and always many items that could stand some improvement.  Not only that, we ourselves worship imperfectly.  We make mistakes in singing, playing, speaking, and in the performance of the acts of worship.  And we haven’t even begun to look within, at the imperfect attitudes toward worship, the wandering minds, the residual resentments and grudges that are brought before the Lord each week.

No, our worship is not perfect. Or is it?

The true perfection of worship comes not from us.  That would be depressing and laughable if we looked to ourselves for the heart and essence of worship.  The perfection of worship is found in its object.  Jesus Christ, who is the fulfillment of Ezekiel’s vision, the perfect temple that Jesus referred to when he mentioned tearing down and rebuilding the temple, is present.  And where He is present, the perfection of God’s grace, mercy, love and righteousness are shining brightly.

This is not to say that we do not strive to improve the earthly aspects of worship.    We certainly should as part of our devotion to our saving God.  But we don’t want to lose sight of the truth that the true perfection of worship is found in Jesus, and where He is present, that is all that is really necessary, whether worship is taking place in a house church living room or the grandest cathedral.

So my prayer today is for the worship life of our congregation and for my participation in it, that it would always be focused on Jesus, celebrating Him, honoring Him, and receiving His gifts.

What is the Word leading you to pray about today?

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