Worship with Holy Abandon
Isaac Munene
One of the meanings of the word ‘worship’ in the Old Testament is to kiss. In most
Middle Eastern cultures people greet one another with a kiss. Hence, the Apostle Paul
urged many to greet one another with a holy kiss. Adoration was also shown by kissing
the feet or hand of someone that was revered in society, like a monarch or someone of
stature.
As spiritual hunger has been growing in me for a deeper intimacy with the Lord, I have
been wondering how I can draw nearer to the Lord. This verse in Luke 7 came to mind.
“A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the
Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. 38 As she stood
behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped
them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.”
What a display of abandoned worship! One can hardly come much closer than a touch
and a kiss! She did not care what the religious Pharisee’s had to say… all she knew is
that she needed to be in His Presence and ascribe worth to the Master. So she poured out
expensive perfume (she was not going to offer to the Lord that which cost her nothing),
poured out her heart (displayed by her tears), and poured her adoration on Him (by
kissing his feet).
Hunger and thirst can cause us to lose our dignity in our pursuit of the Lord. Blind
Bartimaeus cried out with a loud voice for healing; King David danced with all His might
before the Lord; Hannah looked like a drunkard in her supplication before God.
Worship is truly one of the first steps in finding the Lord since He dwells in the praises of
His people.
We are being invited to His banqueting table where His banner over us is LOVE. He is
knocking on our hearts, wanting to come in and dine with us. Let us be found hungry
and thirsty to be in His presence, as worshippers who have their eyes focused on Him,
undeterred by men and their opinions.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy
Spirit, be with you all!