The story of Jesus at the temple in Jerusalem when he was twelve years old, is a signal story. It’s more than a children’s story, for here we show a glimpse of a developmental moment in the life of the son of God. At this three day long moment we can witness the beginnings of Jesus’ passion for worship: Why were you searching for me? Didn’t you know that I had to be in my Father’s house? (Luke 2:49)

In the Old Testament, perfect worship occurred at the dedication of the temple in Jerusalem when the priests installed the ark of the Covenant in the holy of holies, and then had to withdraw, for the cloud of God’s presence filled the temple. (1 Kings 8:11)

As a grown man with twelve disciples, Jesus talked to a woman by a well in Samaria. Worship was the subject: “Believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. The time is coming and has now come when true worshipers will worship God the Father in the Spirit and in the truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is Spirit and His worshipers must warship in spirit and in truth. (John 4:21-23)

When Jesus visited the temple in Jerusalem with his disciples, he was dismayed at the buying and selling that was filling the building. His angry response was a rare occasion that revealed his personal attachment to the place he once called his Father’s house: When Jesus visited the temple courts, he began to drive out those who were selling. “It is written, he said to them, ‘My house will be a house of prayer; but you have made it a den of robbers.” ( Luke 19:45) Jesus’ passion for the house of the worship of his Father, the house that was a tangible link to God, was apparent when he watched a widow drop two small coins into the treasury, knowing it was all the money that she had: “Truly I tell you this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.” (Mark 12:43)

Jesus knew that worship was his link to his Father, and that real worship was the only hope for his people to have a relationship with God. By the time he spoke with the Samaritan woman, Jesus knew that real worship was not confined to the temple or to any other place. Instead, he talked about a Spirit that is in us that is recognized by God, for it is His Spirit as well. When God looks at us and recognizes the Spirit of His son in us, we have achieved worship, for this was the passion of Jesus.

Love in Him,

Prue