Christians Grow Through Worship

MEMORY VERSE: “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” —John 4:24

MARK 1:25

JESUS was a man of prayer. At times he prayed publicly, and sometimes in the presence of his immediate disciples. One of his public prayers was offered at the time he raised Lazarus from the dead. That prayer, like the others, was addressed directly to his Heavenly Father, but he deliberately spoke loudly enough to be heard by those gathered to mourn the death of Lazarus. We quote the prayer, “Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou Nearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.”—John 11:41,42

The circumstances here were quite different from those reported some years ago concerning a prayer that was offered publicly in Boston. The reporter observed that it was the most eloquent prayer ever offered to a Boston audience. Too many public prayers are offered to the audience rather than to God, and if they are eloquent, the one who prays gets the glory, rather than the Lord. It was not thus with Jesus. Even in the public prayer mentioned foregoing, his aim was the glory of his Father, and in the interest of the belief of his hearers.

However, much of Jesus’ praying was done in private, such as the prayer reported in today’s lesson. In this case Jesus went into a solitary place to pray, emphasizing that he wanted to be alone. He was aware of the great truth he expresses in our memory text, and context. (John 4) He knew that effectual prayer did not depend upon being in a certain location, such as a cathedral with stained glass windows, or a certain mountain, as verse 20 of the context indicates.

ACTS 2:46, 47

UNDER the eloquent preaching of the Apostle Peter on the Day of Pentecost, about three thousand Jews accepted Christ. (vs. 41) The previous ministry of Jesus probably had been instrumental in preparing the minds and hearts of many of these to accept him as the Messiah, but the fact that he had been raised from the dead was evidence that he indeed was the One whom God had promised to send. When they learned that the One whom they had crucified had been raised from the dead and “made Lord and Christ,” they were “pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?”—ch. 2:36,37

Peter replied to this question, saying, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (vs. 38) These were all Jews who had been under the Law, but had failed to live up to its requirements. Their repentance and baptism for the remission of sins restored them to a position in which they could be transferred into Christ, and this meant that they could receive the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit was an enlightening power in their minds, and by its aid, under the instructions of the apostles, these first converts made rapid progress. Their breaking of bread was in commemoration of the resurrection of Jesus, and a symbol of the good fellowship they were enjoying in the Lord and with one another.

HEBREWS 10:19-25

THE tabernacle erected by Moses in the wilderness, which served as the center of worship for Israel, was typical of “the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.” (ch. 8:2) Jesus is the great High Priest who serves in this spiritual tabernacle. (Heb. 3:1) His blood has been sprinkled on the antitypical mercy scat, which means that through him we can approach God in prayer, with the assurance that we will be heard.

Indeed, we can draw near to God with full assurance of faith, “having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water”—the water of the Word of truth.

QUESTIONS

Give examples of Jesus’ private and public prayers.

Why is it good to pray in private?

Name the circumstances under which the first disciples were brought into the church.

How can we be assured that our Heavenly Father will hear our prayers?

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