Why worship?

Matt 16: 1 The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven.

“The Pharisees and the Sadducees” were religious leaders with much “political influence” during the time in which Jesus lived . . . Jesus was 

perceived by these political/religious groups “as a threat” to their brand of religion . . . In today's society - it would be like the Presidential 

candidates endorsing a particular religion . . . And as their “religion” increased – their “power base” would also increase . . . in the days of Jesus – because of the way in which religion and politics were 

intertwined – the religious views of “The Jew” were also his political views and the “Pharisees and the Sadducees” basically served as

opposing “party platforms” similar to the Democrat and Republican “platforms” which today allow each of us to identify ourselves with a particular “ideology” - which contain elements of political as well as religious concepts  . . . 

Well Jesus represented what amounted to (in His day) a THIRD party . . . Jesus was not a political activist at all – He repeatedly said and taught “render unto Caesar the things that are Caesars ’ and render unto 

God the things that are God’s . . . So the reality of it was - that Jesus was not a threat to the political climate of the day but He was a threat to the religion of the day . . . Jesus 

never once attempted to revolutionize the Roman government – but He did come to reform the Jewish way of “worship”.

Matt 22: 17 Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?

The question here is . . . Is it lawful for a disciple of Jesus (a Christian) to pay taxes to the Roman Government?

 18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?

 19 Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny.

 20 And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?

 21 They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.

 22 When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.

Now this would have been a perfect opportunity for Jesus to have begun His political reform – The Roman government was one of the most corrupt institutions man has ever been a part of . . . there was graft – there was 

greed – taxes were high –and TAX MONEY was used to support this corrupt institution . . . but rather than resist (we find that as our example) Jesus paid His taxes to support a government that certainly did not spend that money in the pursuit of righteousness . . .

Matt 17: 24 And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?

 25 He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?

 26 Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.

 27 Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.

So Jesus was not interested in politics – and Jesus was not interested in changing the tax code to ensure that tax money was not used for things that He did not agree with  . . .  

We know this to be true or else He would not have paid taxes Himself – and He would have surely encouraged all of His disciples not to pay taxes either . . . but Jesus followed the law of the land . . . and until the law of 

the land opposes God’s law - so that like Daniel we must perform “one” at the expense of “the other” . . . we should follow Jesus’ example . . . and be good citizens of what is often a corrupt system . . . 

Like Jesus our purpose is not to reform our government . . . but rather “as God’s people” our purpose is to sustain (maintain) a particular way of worship (often in the midst of much corruption) by “making disciples” and teaching those disciples what Jesus has taught us. 

Matthew 28: 19 (To the church – to the true worshipers) Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Jesus was not a politician . . . Jesus did not come to this earth to establish a new form of government – Jesus came to this earth for TWO reasons only

1)  To seek and to save that which was lost . . . by giving Himself a ransom for many and

2)  To fulfill the Old Testament pattern of worship (under the Law of Moses) and to put in its’ place The New Testament pattern of worship

(which He did through the New Testament Church).  All of the rules – all of the sacrifices – all of the things which defined the Old Testament way of

worship were replaced by a New Testament (by a New commandment) or a new law . . . that no longer required all of the symbols – and all of the

sacrifices which the worshiper under the Law of Moses was obligated to offer/perform . . .

Mt 5:17 (Jesus said) Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.

Jesus came to fulfill “God’s will” in regard to teaching His people the method and the meaning of proper worship . . . Jesus was not a politician

Jesus was a teacher of righteousness . . . And in the society of His day - everything was OK until Jesus begin to show how God’s definition of

righteousness – was very "different" compared to how the Pharisees and the Sadducees had defined righteousness.  Righteousness that is defined by good works (worshiper centered) . . . defines a system of worship that is 

based upon how good a person the worshiper is . . . while righteousness that is defined by humility and submission . . . defines a system of worship that is based upon how good GOD is . . .

Pr 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

And this difference of attitude is what The New Testament system of worship is designed to teach us . . . Not how good WE are . . . but rather how good GOD is.