What To Worship?

Worship Jesus. Every other object of worship in your life demands that you sacrifice. Everything that you worship apart from Jesus demands that you pay, sweat, and labor, whether it be romance, financial success, reputation, achievement, or a controlled, peaceful world—all of those demand that you pay, and the returns are pretty poor. But not Jesus. Friends, Jesus is the only treasure, who rather than demanding that you pay, paid it for you. That's the gospel. He suffered and he died so that you could be deeply and intimately loved by God. Talk about romance. Jesus suffered and died so that you could know, no matter what happens, that you are a beloved child. Talk about reputation. Jesus suffered and died so that you would know that all things are working together for good for those who love God and are called according to his purpose. Talk about a peaceful, controlled world. He sacrificed himself to get you; he became poor so that you could be rich; he said, "take my yoke upon you and find rest for your soul." In all of our worship and in all of our searching, the one we've been searching for is actually Jesus. He paid it all; that's the good news. Everything you long for is found in him.

—Rev. Mark Fodale, The Gospel in Advent: The Worship of Christmas, Matthew 2.1-12, 12/16/2012.