What images come to your mind when you hear the term “worship night”?
Regrettably, contemporary Western Christian thought frequently equates “worship” with amplified music and congregational singing in a venue bathed in vibrant lights. While this is undoubtedly fun, it is a far cry from the scriptural understanding of “worship.” A more biblical expression of a “worship night” might resemble an evening when Christians take to the streets to provide food for the hungry and blankets for the poor against the chill of the night.
To worship is to sacrifice
There is nothing wrong with praise (music and singing, see Psalm 150), but in ancient times, worshipers would always approach their deities with a gift in hand. This offering, often an animal or agricultural produce, was the most crucial element of their worship. It was unheard of to come before the gods empty-handed. Such offerings were typically presented before significant events like harvests, births, or weddings, serving as a plea for divine safeguarding and favor. The fundamental belief was that to request something from the gods, one must present something in exchange. The God of Israel was no different in this respect. Do you wish to ask God for something? Great! But lunch is on you, so be sure to prepare and bring a delightful meal with you to the altar.
Worship of God traditionally involved sacrifices, imparting a crucial lesson to the Israelites: a loving relationship is not merely about receiving gifts; it also necessitates giving gifts. Thus, biblical worship was centered not on songs—which are forms of praise—but on deeds!
New Covenant Worship
The New Testament introduced a pivotal shift, instructing a new cohort of Jewish followers of Jesus that their worship of the God of Israel should no longer involve offering sacrifices to Him through the Temple. Instead, they have become the temple (1 Corinthians 3:16), and thus, they should directly offer sacrifices to the poor and needy, the sick and afflicted, the widows and orphans, the imprisoned, and the marginalized, thereby genuinely worshiping Him:
And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
Hebrews 13:16
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me…. Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.
Matthew 25:35-40
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
James 1:27
But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.
Matthew 9:13
If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.
1 John 3:17-18
These verses highlight a shift from ritualistic sacrifices to acts of love, mercy, and justice as the true form of worship in the New Testament, reflecting God’s desire for His people to serve others as an expression of their devotion to Him.
We become God’s temple when we care for others and offer gifts, especially to the poor and needy, because God’s Spirit dwells in acts of love, mercy, and compassion. In serving others, we embody His presence and fulfill His command to love our neighbor, making our lives a living sacrifice that reflects true worship.
A common misconception among many Christians is the belief that Christ’s death absolves believers from making sacrifices. However, this is furthest from the truth; rather, the nature of the sacrifices has shifted towards aiding the marginalized in society. I’m not referring to donating to a local church so that it can build a new giant hall and fill it with expensive gear; I’m talking about actively seeking out those in dire need and providing them with sustenance. I believe that is the kind of worship and sacrifice God desires.
Please understand me correctly. There is nothing wrong with songs or music; they are forms of praise. However, worship is fundamentally about sacrifice. Jesus did not serenade us with songs; instead, he bestowed upon us the most precious gift imaginable—his own life!
How did Western worship become all about music?
One may wonder why contemporary worship practices vary significantly from those of the first-century church. It could be related to the destruction of the Second Temple. Jews who did not follow Jesus were unable to continue sacrificial offerings. The Pharisees, adversaries of the priesthood, seized this opportunity to take control by reforming Israel’s religious customs. They promoted a groundbreaking concept, instructing the Israelites that prayer could replace sacrifices in the absence of the temple. Consequently, Christians might have noticed Jews engaging in verbal worship and slowly embraced the notion that worship consists solely of words, separate from deeds.
Conclusion
Impressing, glorifying, pleasing, or worshiping God is not about religiously waking up every morning at five in the morning to pray. Instead, we “put a smile on God’s face” or “earn points” in the kingdom of heaven, so to speak, when we sacrifice for others. (Matthew 5:12, 46) When you bless—sacrifice—for people, God shines His face upon you (Proverbs 13:21).
What good is it if you are wealthy but fail to share your wealth with those in need? Praying and memorizing Bible verses and never missing a church meeting may impress your Christian peers, but it won’t impress God. Sacrificing your comfort, time, or resources to feed your hungry enemy is much more challenging—and spiritually impressive—than simply memorizing verses from the comfort of your fireplace. Although studying the Bible is valuable, it mostly stimulates the brain. If you want to touch God’s heart, provide for the needs of others. This is the true essence of biblical worship.
This article is a copy-paste from my book, ‘The “Gospel” of Divine Abuse,’ available on this Amazon page.
A free sample is available here.