A do over
Every year at the end most people look forward to a new start for the next year and what it will bring, even though most years have started off with trouble. A new beginning, a fresh start is always welcome. In fact, the bible teaches us that if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation (2Co5:17), and that all things become new. In many things in life, we can have a do over and get a second even a third chance. We can have a do over in marriages, family relationship, in health and even jobs. The bible teaches that we can walk daily in newness of life, each day with a brand-new start (Ro6:4). The feeling of having been given a do over in most cases it is a received with a high dosage of appreciation. Jesus was confronted with this situation of this woman who was caught in the very act of adultery and was about to be stoned to death, with his discission she could either face death or a do over. But, because of his God characteristics as he offers each individual a second chance, he did not condemn her but gave her a do over (Jh8:10-11).
John 4:21-24
21 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
This story of the Samaritan woman is one of a new beginning; a do over. She lived a life of adultery from relationship to relationship without commitment. And her time for change, newness came Jesus reveals to her, her life’s mistakes and the chance for a do over. But the chance for change went far beyond her personal life and into her spiritual. Jesus presents her an hour that was supposed to come for worshippers. This woman presents to Jesus the place where her ancestors were supposed to come and worship, the mountain where the well was at. But the time of change was come, the time and place for worship got a do over. So, people that were supposed to come to the mountain to worship but slacked off, had a new place and time for worship. Worship now is to be done in the spirit, but what is to worship in the spirit? Now, worship while it must not be done in a mechanical way it does involve physical posture and other symbolic actions.
Actions that reflect worship such as kneeling is found in Psalms 95:6 and in Psalms 9:2 David says that he will sing the praises of his name. Worship affects everyone that hears, and according to this pastor it is supposed to raise their emotions. The psalmist said that we need to shout for joy (Ps32:11). So, wherever we go, because now there is no place designated and the hour is now for worship, we need to do it with all we have.
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Romans 6:4
4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? 11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
John 1:12-13
12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
Psalms 95:6
6 O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker.
Psalms 9:2
2 I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.
Psalms 32:11
11 Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.