Old and New: Devotions From Time of Grace MinistrySample

Worship in spirit and truth now

The New Covenant is no longer place specific. You may enjoy a visit to the land of Israel and the ancient holy city of Jerusalem, and I hope you can someday, for you will understand the events of the Bible so much better. But you don't need to make this pilgrimage.

Jesus himself explained this to a Samaritan woman who seemed to want to start an argument over which site in the ancient Middle East was the true place for worship. Jesus replied, “A time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain [i.e., Mt. Gerizim in Samaria] nor in Jerusalem. . . . God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth” (John 4:21,24).

God no longer localizes his presence through a bright glory-cloud. You can meet him anywhere on this planet. He comes to people and touches their lives in three ways: through his mighty Word, through the splash of baptismal water, and through the sacred Supper of Christ’s body and blood.

The Day of Pentecost described in Acts chapter 2 reverses the covenant direction. Instead of “Come to Jerusalem,” the New Testament church’s mandate and commission is “Go!” “Go and make disciples” (Matthew 28:19).