The Frozen Chosen {or How to Worship in a Morgue}.

In Luke 18 Jesus tells the Story of two men in the Temple, “a Pharisee” and “a tax-collector” {vv. 9-14}.  He goes on to give us what can only be called a Parable of Grace.  The “tax-collector” praying away by himself and apart from the crowd, unwilling to even look in Abba’s direction, is an indication of the emptiness in his soul.  Notice his posture in prayer.  In utter humility he flings himself recklessly on the mercy of God!  As opposed to the ostentatiousness of the Pharisee, who “stood up and prayed to himself....”  And why not?  After all, he is “confident of his own righteousness” and therefore “views everyone else with contempt.”  Thus, he prays: “god [We’ll make it a small ‘g,’ since he’s praying ‘to himself.’], I thank you that I am not like other men— robbers, evildoers, adulterers— or even like this tax-collector.”  Heaven forbid, right?

The “Pharisee” mouths a “thank you” in v. 11 but there’s no thanksgiving here.  His statement about not being like other people is a bold-faced lie; he’s exactly like other people.  Notice throughout his prayer the Pharisee has no praise for God, only praise for self; in the place of praise is self-exaltation.  He makes no request of Abba because he’s totally unaware of any need; therefore, he gets exactly what he asks for.  He gets nothing because he asks for nothing!

Now, transplant this Pharisaic prayer to our post-modern setting and we can see believers in this Age who get nothing whatsoever out of prayer, praise, giving, or immersion in the Word— all aspects of worship, the devotion of the heart.  And you know why?  Because they ask for nothing.  They see absolutely no need for anything Abba has to give in grace.  Consequently, they get exactly what they ask for.  Some of us never seem to benefit, in the least, from worship in Community, no matter how on target, how intense or how practical.  It’s simple, really.  We don’t go away full because we don’t come in hungry.  Our passion has flown for Southern skies... gone like the wind.  And doesn’t appear to be coming back.

Are we okay with this?  Are we fine with the fact that our worship feels like a stroll through the morgue ...that our hearts leap with excitement over a glass of good wine or a well-thrown football, when steaks come off the grill or the Razorbacks win a conference game, when we inhale deeply from our ‘new car smell’ or buy that perfect pair of shoes at sixty percent off {just for you, ladies!}?  Are we good with this?  And if so, why?  When the deep and desperate hunger raging in our hearts can be satisfied only in Jesus, why is it okay to come into His Presence with the same passion we would normally reserve for warm milk and a handful of Saltines?  We look forward to Sonday’s Celebration of the Resurrection with all the anticipation of a root canal.

‘O God our God, mighty King of all Creation, Holy One, Righteous Lord, Son and Savior, Master and Redeemer, deliver us from our ridiculous notions of worship.  And usher us into a place of awestruck amazement, profound passion, and joy unbound!  In Your holy and beautiful Name.  ...Amen.

HJC	Ric Webb  |  Shepherd Heart’s Journey Community 9621 Tall Timber Blvd. |  Little Rock, AR 72204 t +1.501.455.0296
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Heart’s Journey – Live Generously and Love Graciously