Date: Saturday, 16th September, 2023
Text: Luke 7:36-50
Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan
Exhortation:
Proskuneo is the original Greek word for worship. It is mentioned 59 times in the New Testament and it means to bow down to the ground before someone and kiss the feet, the hem of his garment, or ground in front of him.
This was vividly demonstrated by Mary Magdalene who was delivered of seven demons (Luke 8:2). Having lived a sinful life, she learned that Jesus was eating at at a Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. 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. At the end of the day, her sins were forgiven and she followed Christ till the very end. Luke 7:36-50.
Worship is meant for God and His Christ alone. Saint or angel worship is forbidden by the word of God. It is a sin to worship Mary or venerate her image. Apostle Peter rejected it when Cornelius and his family tried to worship him at Caesarea. Acts 10:23-26
In Lystra, after the healing of a man born lame by Barnabas and Paul, they found themselves being elevated to the position of the gods and were about to be given sacrifices or worship as gods, they tore their clothes and vigorously protested and restrained the people. Acts 14: 8-15
When Apostle John erroneously wanted to worship an angel of God he was restrained and commanded by the angel to “Worship God” as it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’” Luke 4:8
Herod the king accepted the praise of men; he did not give praise to God, and an angel of the Lord struck him down. He was eaten by worms and died. Acts 12:19-23
Reflective Nugget: Worship is meant for God and His Christ alone. Saint or angel worship is forbidden by the word of God.