Present your bodies a living sacrifice. . .

“For you are bought with a price; therefore glorify God in our bodies and your spirits, which are God’s” (1 Corinthians 6:20).

Last Sunday someone a few rows in front of us sang to God with her entire self. Her face was lifted toward heaven, her hands raised also. Her body moved in expression of worship. Her worship helped me worship — and she was about six years old.

I noticed her, but she obviously was not intending to draw attention to herself. She was not copying anyone either, because, for some reason, no one else lifted their hands during that hymn. This was between her and God, the body and spirit together worshiping Him.

Charnock insists bodily worship is due to God. Our bodies are His by creation and also by redemption. We cannot deny Him the service of our body, nor its sanctification. To serve Him with body and not spirit is hypocrisy; with spirit and not body is sacrilege; and with neither is atheism.

Corporate worship cannot be without some bodily expression either. Men called upon God even before governments were formed and God shaped for them a public worship, instituted synagogues so they could convene together. Charnock says “public worship keeps up memorials to God in hearts prone to forgetfulness.”

How true. Emotions are often more lovely, spirits more raised in public than private. Devotion is inflamed by the union of many hearts. We are not to “forsake the assembling of ourselves together” implying our corporate worship is important, not just to God but to ourselves. Together our love for God naturally flows from our hearts.

Last night we attended a drama depicting the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Today we attend a service to remember just one part of the redemption story — His death. We will stop time — and think only of that dark day 2000 years ago when God the Son died on a cross at the hands of those who hated Him, in full view of those who loved Him. Had I been there, in which crowd would I be standing?

I will be in the crowd of worshipers today, but how will I express my heart? Worship is easier when reminded of the goodness of God, His faithfulness, love and power. Yet today will remind me of my sin, those dark deeds that were laid on Him, the sin that put Him to death. Can I respond like that child of last week? Will my body express the grief I feel for what I did to Him? Will my arms be lifted up? Or hang limp in shame? Can I focus on His sacrifice and sorrow, feel it with Him, be there dying with Him? Or will mentally push ahead three days to the rest of the story?

My body prefers the exuberant joy of "He is risen," but I know that even though the outward expression is difficult and painful, worship includes deep contrition and somber humility.