Revelation 5:13, “Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!”
One of the main reasons the Jews wanted to crucify Jesus was because He made Himself equal to God (John 5:18). However, John stated in his introduction to his gospel that Jesus wasn’t a man trying to become a god, but rather Jesus was God who became a man (John 1:1). The Son had eternally existed as the Word and shared in the divine nature. The Word became flesh so that He might save mankind by His willing sacrifice on the cross (John 1:1-18).
When Jesus walked the earth, He was both divine and human (the God-Man) and so He was worthy of worship and adoration from the people. We see glimpses into the worship He received at various times in the gospels. For example, his disciples worshipped Him after He walked on water and calmed the storm in Matthew 14:33. The healed blind man worshipped Him after Jesus revealed His true nature to Him in John 9:38.
The New Testament, especially in Paul’s writings, encourages Jesus to be worshipped because He is God. Paul said of Jesus in Colossians 1:15-19, that He is the very image of God, possessing full deity and in Titus 2:13 that He is our great God and Savior.
Jesus not only received worship in the New Testament, but He also was worshipped in the Old Testament when He appeared to the Israelites. According to the Bible, from beginning to end, Jesus has always been worshipped!
For example, in Genesis 18:1-2 Abraham identified Jesus as “Yahweh” and bowed low to Him and in Daniel 7:14 the prophet Daniel saw Jesus (the Son of Man) receive worship from every tribe and tongue.
It is no surprise to read in the last book of the Bible that when the apostle John sees the throne of God in heaven, the Lamb of God (Jesus) is receiving the same worship and adoration as the Father. Let us join with the host of heaven and worship Jesus today! One of my favorite songs to worship Jesus is, Holy and Anointed One, by John Barnett. It goes as follows, “Jesus, Jesus, Holy and anointed One, Jesus. Jesus, Jesus, Risen and exalted One, Jesus. Your name is like honey on my lips. Your Spirit like water to my soul. Your word is a lamp unto my feet. Jesus, I love You, I love You.”
Reflection
Action
- Be certain that you have the right doctrines and beliefs concerning Jesus, because He is not only a man, He is God in the flesh.
- Worship Jesus with all the different kinds of praise.
- Preach to others about Jesus so they can receive Him and be saved.
