Embodiment and Doxology // April 28, 2024

READ: Hebrews 10:5-10; 19-25

Worship is the heart of the Christian life, but how do we define it? It is not about a moral report card, passing a theological test, or even attending the right events. The author of Hebrews defines worship as “drawing near” to God, which can be done in all kinds of places. But what about when God doesn’t feel close, or we feel like we are drifting away? This passage will encourage us to consider the role of our bodies in drawing near to God in true worship.

1. What to Bring When We Draw Near

Because of what Jesus has done, we can boldly draw near to God through the curtain, the holy of holies, and into His direct presence. What good news! But what do we bring? Thankfully, this passage gives us a direct answer in v. 22. We bring two things: “a true heart in full assurance of faith, and our bodies washed in pure water.” As you can see, our bodies are not an afterthought but integral to our worship. After all, Jesus came into the world with a body and offered it back to God as worship to sanctify us. 

God doesn’t just want our hearts or souls as if they are separate from our bodies. God wants us to bring all of us to Him in worship. We struggle with our bodies in this age, whether it's anxiety, illness, sexuality, race, or appearance. It may leave us feeling as if God is not interested in all of us, but that cannot be further from the truth. Consider David’s prayer in Psalm 63. He was tired, hungry, afraid, and confused. When God felt distant, what did he do? He presented his body, his lips, and his hands as he laid himself before God in worship..

2. What to Do When We Draw Near

The Bible gives very practical, embodied examples of how to worship God, such as standing, kneeling, shouting, clapping, lifting hands, and speaking out loud. When our hearts are far away, the Bible treats us as whole people by commanding us to draw near with our bodies. Engaging our bodies purposefully in worship is not an empty ritual but steers our entire being into worship. Our postures, movements, and vocalizations are ways to express honor, submission, joy, and need before the Lord.

Worship on Sunday is meant to invite us into complete, embodied participation and not passive spectating. It is not surprising that we find this challenging. Most of our modern lives are very sedentary and one-dimensional. We sit a lot! Of course, we may have physical limitations, but we are generally called to embrace embodied worship in the community by incorporating bodily practices like kneeling in private prayer or lifting hands while singing corporately. This kind of stretch combines our inner posture of faith with outward expressions of worship. Perhaps it’s not even our own movements that strengthen us but observing others. Our community can encourage us even in our darkest moments.

3. Why We Can Draw Near

At the root, we may feel an inability or hesitation to draw near to God because of our sin, shame, and sense of unworthiness before Him. We often don’t believe God wants us near. Our consciences remind us that we are stained and unclean. We know we haven’t lived a holy life in the body as God intends. How could the holy God want us in His presence? But the Gospel truth is that Jesus became incarnate, taking on a body so He could draw near to us in our embodied existence.

By offering His very body as the ultimate sacrifice, Jesus has sanctified and cleansed us to enter God's presence. We do not worship a distant god who wants to keep us there, but a loving Father who has removed every barrier through Christ's work. God doesn’t just tolerate us. He deeply desires for us to draw near to Him with our whole selves. To reject that invitation is to insult the significant cost and demanding journey that Jesus made for us. We must never forget the beautiful truth of the Gospel that He drew near to us when we couldn’t draw near to Him. We can boldly sing, “Take my life and let it be, consecrated, Lord to Thee.”

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  1. What about the sermon most impacted you or left you with questions?

  2. Describe something memorable and personal you have learned in this series about how you view the body in relation to the Christian life. How would you respond to someone who tells you that the body is just a “prison for the soul” and that we just need to pay attention to our spiritual lives?

  3. What does it mean for you to “draw near” to God in worship? Does this command leave you feeling encouraged or confused? Why or Why not? Have you always felt this way? 

  4. Which forms of bodily engagement in worship - standing, kneeling, shouting, clapping, lifting hands, singing -  are you most comfortable with? Least comfortable with? How has God used one or more of these in your life to help you “draw near” to Him?

  5. How can we resist the modern temptation to be one-dimensional, sedentary, and passive in our worship? What can you do to be more present, embodied, and active in corporate and private worship?

  6. Bonhoeffer says, “The mere physical presence of other Christians is a source of incomparable joy and strength to the believer.” Have you experienced this recently in the Christian community? How can this community help you when you don’t feel joy and strength yourself?

  7. How are you tempted to believe that God does not want you near? Have you withheld some struggles in your life from Him, whether bodily or spiritually? How does the gospel truth that He has drawn near to you encourage you to draw near to Him?