PLACE OR PERSON

In John 4 is the story of Jesus and the (no name) Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well. After an exchange about the water and her marital status, she perceived that Jesus was a prophet and said: “Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you say that Jerusalem is the place where people must worship.” Jesus said, “Believe me, woman, the time is coming when neither in Jerusalem nor on this mountain will you actually worship the Father.” (John 4:20-21)

Then there was a major shift in conversation that is almost beyond comprehension then or now: “The time is coming when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, and that time is here already. You see, the Father too is actively seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” (4:23-24)
The shift is from Place of worship to Person worshipped… from Samaria, Jerusalem, Fort Worth, Egyptian desert, Mount Everest, Carmel by the Sea, Rome, Istanbul, National Cathedral or any other Place.
The message of Jesus was ‘how’ not ‘where.’ True worshippers will worship in ‘spirit and in truth.’

In all of the above mentioned places and many others the Father may be worshipped as long it is in ‘spirit and truth’ and not because of place.

C.H. Spurgeon (1834-1892) British preacher wrote: “We should bring men to Christ, not to our own particular views of Christianity.” And I would add: And not to our own particular place of Christianity.  

“God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” Jesus