The Cry from the Cross
All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. Psalm 22:27 ESV
Worship – “The philosophy of Jewish living is essentially a philosophy of worship. For what is observance, if not a form of worshipping God?”[1]
Once you grasp the concept that Jewish belief was not a religion in biblical times, that it was instead a “way of life” summarized in acts of worship, then you realize that the greatest difference between early Christianity and the Way is found in the structure and objective of each. Jewish belief centered around worship. That’s why Leviticus was the primer for Jewish education. That’s why the Temple occupied the most important place in Jewish thinking. That’s why there was no systematic theology. That’s why the place of Gentiles in the community was such an issue. Everything centered in the worship of YHWH and anything that interfered with worship was a threat to the Jewish experience of God.
On the other hand, within a few centuries Christianity, as a religion, centered its claims on salvation found in the Christ. It developed along the lines of forgiveness of sin. Its spokesmen focused on categorizing, analyzing and cataloging the attributes of God. It developed an intricate web of belief around certain key philosophical commitments like perfection. Worship was not at the center of experience. Forgiveness was. Christianity was not a “way of life” but rather a commitment to beliefs. It has implications for how one lives, but living according to a standard of worship is not of absolute importance.
Heschel touches other essential differences when he notes that for a Jew “to believe is to remember” and that Judaism has no concept of the separation of soul and body. But behind it all is the idea of worship. Christianity rewrote worship of God according to its theology. It left behind the Jewish way of worship in its desire for a new identification. The result today is worship as you like it, wherever you happen to be.
That should cause us to ask a question about the Psalm that Yeshua references from the cross. Long ago we noticed that the so-called “cry of dereliction” is really a misreading of the Jewish culture at the time. In fact, any careful reading of the text that Yeshua claims as explanation for the cross event must note verse 24 which asserts that the face of the Lord has not turned away nor has the Lord abandoned His afflicted. This statement stands in utter contrast to the usual claim that God left Jesus at the moment Jesus took on the Sin of the world. Aside from this anomaly, we have the claim about worship. What do you suppose the psalm has in mind when it proclaims that all the nations will one day worship the King? Can you really imagine that such a worship service will be introduced by a rock band, PowerPoint displays, and stage lighting? Do you think worshipping the Lord will be the same as sprinkling holy water, listening to a cantor or reading printed prayers?
This psalm suggests that in that day worship will be essentially connected to “remember and turn,” both key Hebraic terms for the restoration of Torah obedience. Heschel is right. Obedience is a form of worship. And when the Great Day of the Lord arrives, and Torah pours forth from Zion, I don’t think we will be singing “Like a rose trampled on the ground.” I don’t think we will have after-church barbeques. Worship is still, and always has been, a “way of life,” and for those who practice that way now it will come as welcome relief from life in Babylon. But for those who haven’t practiced what it means to “worship” here, life may take a sudden and unexpected turn.
Topical Index: worship, Torah, obedience, Psalm 22:27
I can relate to this TW. For as long as I have been called into the Kingdom, ABBA has shown that bearing fruit that lifts up His Name of Who He is, is THE most vital criteria He looks for in a Believer’s lifestyle/attitude.
Oftentimes, I have failed Him and myself, making “wrong” decisions, even though I have sought ABBA for His guidance, and thought it was the way to go.
Thankfully, as in the previous TW, I learned that as long as we are not going against YHWH’s ways in rebellion, the “wrong” ways are for His purposes. Thank you, Skip. I/we make decisions that do not turn out ‘right’, ABBA can and will turn it around for His purposes; and at times, we may be guided in that way unbeknown to us, if we say “not my will, but Yours be done”, we then wait in anticipation for wonderful surprises YHWH has for us ahead.
We worship with our entire life/lifestyle, in the way we live/act, daily in relation to YHWH, and the brethren and others around us. We worship in action and deeds, our whole being offered to HIM, not in parts and pieces, but in our emotions and passions.
Hi Ester,
Thank you for your wise words. I too can relate to this TW.
So many want to circle their wagons around their doctrine or particular theology rather than “simply” living a life of worship to the King.
It is difficult to step out of that particular paradigm but not impossible. Y-H expects us to change and to move in a direction that honors Him rather than ourselves. Each one of us have the ability to make the choice to live a life that honors our Father. It has to become a “way”of life and not something we put on at Sunday service. When it does, it is sweet and the communion with Y-H is such a blessing and the growth incredible!
Religions are man’s attempts at truth.
Worship to 10 different people can mean 10 different things,
be they Jews, Christians or whomever.
Jesus didn’t see it that way.
“But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshippers
will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking
such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must
worship in spirit and truth.” Jn 4: 23-24
Jesus also said: “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship
the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ” Mat 4:10
Him ONLY you shall SERVE.
“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Cor 10:31
Oswald Chambers has a great way of reflecting on this.
He says: “Worship is giving to God the best that He has given you.”
I want to share what I would call a very personal time in my life that changed worship and it’s definition for me forever. I was married at one time to a very mean and abusive man. He ran over the road as a truck driver and when he would come homebound matter what time day or night demand I intimacy even after no type of interactive speaking for days. One night he did this and I laid there and cried and he fell asleep almost as soon as he laid his hand upon me. Immediately I heard the voice of my Father tell me to get up he wanted to speak to me. I slipped out of bed and went and got before Him in prayer and this is what He spoke to my heart. He said many people who say they know and love him do that same thing that I was experiencing with my husband. They expected intimacy with Him and claimed intimacy with Him and yet never even did any of the things that He required to have it. He spoke to my heart that to spend my time seeking His face, studying His word, and devoting my life was what He desired. That was like kissing Him on the lips. Well that was excited but a few days later I looked up the word study and it had one of the meaning of yep kissing! Wow changed my interview of worship.
Thank you for sharing this very personal experience. It spoke to me too.
Babs, your words answered a question of my heart today. Isn’t in incredible how He takes the most horrendous situations and gives us beauty to hold onto in the midst of it? Thank you for sharing.
“Do you think worshipping the Lord will be the same as sprinkling holy water, listening to a cantor or reading printed prayers?”
Judaism also reads from printed prayers. Is that not considered worship?
not without the heart involved in surrender
Several years ago, my wife wrote in her praise journal: “All that there is to life–if it isn’t for worship, it’s for vanity.”
“Heschel is right. Obedience is a form of worship.” Not a popular subject or form of worship in today’s culture in my experience. More wisdom from Heschel and Skip. Thanks Skip, I have now had to add another Heschel book to my “wish list”. 🙂
Interesting. It seems that Israel never went “Atheist” – they were always VERY religious. Same story with Cain and Abel – the issue isn’t about believers in God and those who don’t believe in God – it is about true and false worship.
For me the “way of life” can most easily be found in the “sounds of silence”
Like the “Doe of the Dawn” to whom Psalm 22 is written
We only need to keep still in the forest and focus on our breath
To calm the waters of our soul
As we breathe in we barely need hear the sound of “Yah”
And on the way out the sound of “weh” can be softer still
But that little exercise can put us in touch with the Way
O Glorious Day!!
~All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before You. ~ (Psalm 22:27)
“All the ends of the earth..” ‘ephec (eh’-fes)
cessation, i.e. an end (especially of the earth); often used adverb, no further; also the ankle (in the dual), as being the extremity of the leg or foot
~ that at the (matchless -wonderful-saving-Sovereign-strong,sweet and sure) Name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in Heaven, and of those on Earth, and of those under the earth, (have we left anyone out?) and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is LORD, to the glory of God the Father ~ (Philippians 2.10)
What a day, (glorious day!), that will be!
I own a pair of these. Strange-looking,knobby, bendable, foldable things, called knees. Every human on the planet from Adam on down also has a pair of these. Male, female, Jew and Gentile, saved or unsaved-everyone has knees. Democrats, Republicans, painters, plumbers and poets- all have knees.
~ Baruch Hashem ADONAI!! ~ (??) – “What meaneth this?”
This is a happy activity! Baruch (very closely associated with “Barak” (or blessed one) is the (Hebrew) word for “blessed.” Lol! – But wait..- there’s more! (so “much more!)
For “baruch” has a twin brother. Baruch also translates: “bow the knee!” “Happy” and “bow the knee” are forever tied together at the waist and are twins!
Just where is “the gettin’ place?” “Bow the knee” and find out! Prayer, (whether private or public) is the place of blessing!
Now, we also must remember (are we capable of remembering?) “blessedness” (or happiness) is not necessarily in “having’ or even in “doing!” Blessedness is a state of “being.” This “being” is our (now) “being *in Christ*!” We, who are His, – we, who now belong to Him, are in “blood-covenant union” with the Messiah!
What are the results of this “unity” or “oneness?” (a marriage made in Heaven!) – Gonna be a long list, folks! So let’s get the party started..
Salvation/deliverance., sanctification-justification-glorification. We “transition” from surviving to thriving! Life – “more abundant!” For you see, “eternal life” is not just about “quantity,”- it is “quality!”
We “transition” from rules and regulations and rituals to the recognition and realization of relationship! What is this relationship? (someone tie me down..!) “Christianity” is not (just) a religion,-it is a relationship with our crucified, buried, risen,and (now) reigning (always Good) Shepherd/King.
Jesus said “I Am”. I confess/agree, – “He is”.
~ What shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ? ~ (Matthew 27.22) Great question, Pilate. Is He a liar, or lunatic? -or is He LORD?
Here are seven “confessions” of Christ:
~ And Jesus said to them, “I AM the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst” (John 6:35).
Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying,“I AM the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” (John 8:12).
“I AM the door. If anyone enters by Me,he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture” (John 10:9).
“I AM the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep” (John 10:11).
Jesus said to her, “I AM the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live” (John 11:25).
Jesus said to him, “I AM the way, the truth,and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6).
“I AM the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser” (John 15:1).
And “if any man” (Jew orGentile, male or female) be *in Christ..* (2 Corinthians 5.17)
Are you? Are you? – “now?”
Do we remember His words?
~ If you remain in Me and My words remain in you.. ~ (John 15.7)
Whose words? The word(s) of our LORD! Is Jesus LORD?
“For if He is not LORD of all, – He is not LORD at all!”
Is He?
LORD of every thought AND action,
LORD to send, and LORD to stay,
LORD in speaking, writing, giving,
LORD in all things to obey,
LORD of all there is of me,
LORD of Earth and Heaven, we’ll see
LORD of today and eternity..
~ and when they saw Him, they worshiped Him, but some doubted..~ (Matthew 28.17)
Many years ago I heard a talk by a Christian Hebraic speaker talking about worship and informing that the highest form of worship was study… That in Judiasim worship equalled study of Yah’s Torah, prophets and psalms and walking it out! I personally have found this to be true as each day I delve into his word I feel the intimacy of our relationship and sometimes in sheer joy like Job put my hand over my mouth as something is illuminated that brings me closer to him.
p.s I and my husband are in Jerusalem at the moment and would love to connect with anyone here who reads TW
Also anyone recommend where to go to participate in hannuka?
Christine