This week's focus on worship takes us to Matthew 17:5 and Psalm 27:4. Both passages show God's active work in worship and our passive role.
"The service and worship of the gospel is to receive good things from God, while the worship of the law is to offer and present goods to God. We cannot offer anything to God unless we have first been reconciled and reborn. the greatest possible comfort comes from this doctrine [that is, teaching] that the highest worship in the gospel is the desire to receive forgiveness of sins, grace, and righteousness...the Father says (Matthew 17:5) "This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him"' (Apology of the Augsburg Confession, IV:310)
During Matthew's account of the Transfiguration of Christ we see Peter's desire to do contrasted with God's actions and desires for Peter:
Matthew 17: The Transfiguration
1After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.
4Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah."
5While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!"
Immediately, Peter wanted do something and immediately God spoke his desire for Peter, "This is my beloved Son...Listen to Him." There is no need to build three tabernacles. There is no need to sing louder. There is no need to do anything except "Listen".
"Through this listening, God's powerful and living Word does a great work in you
(I Thessalonians 2:13), producing good fruit such as singing, praying, giving an offering and serving your neighbor" (Good News. 14)
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