DRAW NEAR
Wednesday in Easter 3
Psalm 89:1-19; Exodus 32:1-7, 15-20; Hebrews 10:15-25
Many evangelicals1 have inculcated and embraced a false narrative concerning worship: You may draw near to worship God in whatever ways seem right and good to you — as long as it comes from your heart and your intentions are good.
That is so misguided (and wrong).
The Divine Scriptures warn us not to worship God in whatever ways seem right in our eyes.
Not even if it is performed in the Holy Name of God who brought you out of Egypt. Not even if it offers a freewill gift from your personal wealth. Not even if it is creative and innovative. Not even if it is called a Eucharistic Feast. Not even if it is enthusiastic, emotive, and entertaining.
When we draw near to worship God we must do what is right in God’s eyes. That means spiritually, according to his Word not our whims; and sacramentally, according to his Truth not our tastes or trends.
Acts of Worship not requested or required by the Lord are treated by the Lord as Acts of War against him. Don’t just take my word for it: ask Aaron the High Priest or Nadab and Abihu. They testify that Holy don’t play.
Our forefathers were prohibited from physically ascending the Holy Mountain into God’s Presence, but we are required to ascend in spirit and in truth.
As baptized Christians, we ascend mystically, beyond the veil of the known into the Unknown.
“Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the holy places
by the blood of Jesus,
by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain,
that is, through his flesh,
and since we have a great priest over the house of God,
+ let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith,
with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience
and with our bodies washed with pure water;
+ let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.
+ let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,
not neglecting to meet together,
as is the habit of some,
but encouraging one another,
and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”
Rather than follow the imaginations of our own hearts, we must follow the incarnation of Christ by the inspiration of the Spirit into the illumination of the Father.
“Blessed are the people
who know the festal shout,
who walk, O Lord, in the light of your face,
who exult in your name all the day
and in your righteousness are exalted.”
Wednesday + Easter 3
The Collect
Almighty God, who showest to them that are in error the light of thy truth, to the intent that they may return into the way of righteousness; Grant unto all those who are admitted into the fellowship of Christ’s Religion, that they may avoid those things that are contrary to their profession, and follow all such things as are agreeable to the same; through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Other Christians are guilty of doing this as well. It’s more pronounced among post-Protestant evangelicals. In general, They are so disconnected from the historic Church that they “reinvent the wheel” in order to be church-like and do churchy stuff. See Brad East’s “Goldilocks Protestantism” for more on this.