One Worthy of Worship
Bible in a Year: Psalms 89-90; Romans 14
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Psalm 19:1
Today's Scripture: Luke 23:44-49
Insight
In Luke 23:44-49, the events surrounding Jesus’ death reveal the worthiness of God. Christ’s final words where He entrusts His spirit to the Father (v. 46) show His complete obedience and trust, even in death. As darkness covered the land (v. 44) and “the curtain of the temple was torn in two” (v. 45), creation itself testified that something supernatural was unfolding. These signs moved the Roman centurion, a gentile and outsider, to proclaim Jesus’ innocence (v. 47). His response shows that genuine worship begins when the heart recognizes God’s power and holiness. The crowd, struck with remorse, departed in sorrow (v. 48), while “all those who knew him . . . stood at a distance, watching” (v. 49) as they witnessed the depth of God’s love displayed on the cross. His sacrifice there proved He was worthy of worship not only because of His power over creation but because of His self-giving love.
For further study, read The Thunder of Sinai: Exodus 20 and the Heart of God.
One April afternoon, millions gathered along a mapped arc across Mexico and the United States to witness a rare total solar eclipse. Schools released children, small towns blossomed to receive travelers, and neighbors set up lawn chairs in driveways donning protective glasses to take in the wonder. As television crews documented the countdown to “totality,” the crowd grew silent except for one repeated phrase: “Oh my God!”
That struck me. I don’t know for certain why those observers chose that phrase in the moment, but I suspect that as mortals encountered the rare and the astonishing, they seemed to need Someone to acknowledge. Someone to thank. Someone to worship. When we look heavenward, our response is awe. As David wrote, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands” (Psalm 19:1).
The gospel writer Luke reports Jesus’ last minutes on the cross. “It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, for the sun stopped shining” (23:44-45). Matthew shares a response to this revelation: “When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, ‘Surely he was the Son of God!’ ” (Matthew 27:54). They couldn’t help but acknowledge God as the Someone worthy of worship.
In humble awe, I worship You—my God.
Reflect & Pray
Where have you seen God’s glory and found yourself awed? In what ways can you worship Him in all His awesomeness?
Dear God, You are holy. I worship You in awe!