Should Christians Worship at Shrines?

WORSHIP "WITH SPIRIT AND TRUTH"

A conversation that Jesus had with a Samaritan woman reveals God's view of worship at sacred places or shrines.  Jesus was traveling through Samaria and stopped to rest at a well near the city of Sychar.  He struck up a conversation with a woman who came to draw water from the well. As they talked, the woman pointed out a major religious difference between the Jews and the Samaritans.  "Our forefathers worshipped on this mountain," she said, "but you people say that in Jerusalem is the place where people must worship." -John 4:5-9, 20.  

The mountain that the woman referred to was Mount Gerizim, located about 30 miles (50 km) north of Jerusalem. There the Samaritans once  had a temple where they celebrated festivals such as the Passover. However, instead of focusing on this controversial difference between them, Jesus said to the woman:  "Believe me, woman, the hour is coming when neither this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father."  (John 4:21)  What an astounding comment, especially coming from a Jew!  Why would the worship at God's temple in Jerusalem cease? 

Jesus continued:  "The hour is coming, and it is now, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for indeed, the Father is looking for ones like these to worship him." (John 4:23)  For centuries, the Jews viewed the magnificent temple in Jerusalem as the center of their worship.  They journeyed there three times a  year to make sacrifices to their God, Jehovah.  (Exodus  23:14-17)  But Jesus said that all of this would be changed and that "true worshippers would  worship "with spirit and truth."  

Next time: Should Christians Worship at Shrines?/Conclusion of WORSHIP "WITH SPIRIT AND TRUTH"

From The Watchtower magazine