What is your preference? Do you prefer a somber, repentant worship service? Do you prefer an upbeat, joyous worship service? Do you prefer a more traditional worship service? Do you prefer a more contemporary worship service? Do you reject one or the other?
We see worship services that span the spectrum from the extremely somber to the extremely celebratory, and anywhere between. We see worship services that are very traditional, following a liturgy that has been handed down over generations or seemingly spontaneous outbursts of joy.
Unfortunately, we too often despise, degrade, or turn our noses up at worship services we do not care for. We may even believe the people who participate in them are not truly worshiping God. We have forgotten lessons Jesus taught about worshiping God. It is not about the actions but about the heart. It is not about following a set of man-made rules but about faith in Jesus.
Jesus is frustrated with the Jews when He speaks the parable in today’s passage. He tells them they rejected John when he was speaking of judgment coming. His message was the funeral dirge that called people to repentance. The people did not accept his message. They did not mourn their sin and repent of it.
On the other hand, Jesus speaks of a joyous celebration, a wedding dance. The people reject the possibility that it could be so easy as participating in the wedding celebration to gain the rewards God is ready to provide. They reject the gifts of hope and salvation. They refuse to participate.
The people wanted Jesus and John to fit their preconceived notion of religious rules. They wanted them to fit the traditions the rabbi’s and priests had dictated. Have we fallen into the same beliefs and behaviors? Are our expectations much the same, that Jesus must fit in our box?
I pray we worship God in whatever setting we find ourselves. I pray we do not reject different types of worship activities. I pray each one of us come to worship service to worship God rather than man-made rules. Worship God. Worship in spirit and truth. Accept all manner of worship activities. Celebrate the coming Christ.
Mathew 11:16-17 “But to what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to one another,
‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;
we wailed, and you did not mourn.’”
Marty Pressey 