Chapter 5 - WHOSE WORSHIP DOES GOD ACCEPT?

HAVE you ever wondered, 'Whose worship does God accept?" A certain woman may have had such  a  question come to her mind she spoke to Jesus Christ near Mount Gerizim in Samaria.  Calling attention to a difference between the worship of the Samaritans and that of the Jews, she said:  "Our forefathers worshiped in this mountain; but you people say that in Jerusalem is the place where persons ought to worship."  (John 4:20) Did Jesus tell the Samaritan woman that God  accepts all worship?  Or did he say that specific things are required to please God?

Jesus' startling reply was: "The hour is coming when neither in this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you people worship the Father."  (John 4:21)  The Samaritans had long feared Jehovah and had worshiped other gods on Mount Gerizim.  (2 Kings 17:33) Now Jesus Christ said  that neither that place nor Jerusalem would be important in true worship.

Next time: WORSHIP WITH SPIRIT AND TRUTH

The Book - KNOWLEDGE That Leads To Everlasting Life, 1995