There was a young educated girl, who lost her job. There was a church nearby, she went and prayed there. God was gracious to answer her prayer and she got a job. She also got a new faith in Lord Jesus Christ. However, she was attached to the place, the church building. Her faith was that whatever you ask from that place, it would be granted. For the church building she sponsored initially fans, chair, air-conditioner, musical instruments…etc. Nevertheless, she will not give any donation for orphans or children ministry or missions or bible society. Her belief was more about the place rather than Lord Himself.
Joshua exhorted the Nation of Israel to worship the Lord in sincerity and truth. (Joshua 24:14) Psalmist calls people to worship the Lord in the Splendor of Holiness. (Psalms 96:9) However, the Nation of Israel abandoned truth, sincerity and holiness; and thought Temple in Jerusalem is the place in which they were ‘delighted’ and worshipped there. Hence, Lord gave a sign to the Nation of Israel that their new idol, The Temple would be taken away or destroyed. (Ezekiel 24:16)
The Nation of Israel even propagated that worship could happen only in Jerusalem. (John 4:20) King Solomon’s prayer also indicated that the Jerusalem Temple as the spiritual and physical centre of the world. However, Lord corrected the Samaritan woman stating that all who worship the Father should do in the ‘spirit and truth.’ (John 4:24)
There is nothing wrong in having a beautiful place of worship. However, it should not become object of worship. When Lord Jesus said: “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” (John 2:19) The religious leaders could not grasp that, they thought it was blasphemy. They failed to recognize Lord Jesus as the object of worship. Sadly, today, there are Christian leaders who promote their church building is like Temple in Jerusalem. Only God deserves all our worship and nothing else, including church buildings.
Do I worship Lord alone in truth and in spirit?