In my last blog, Extravagant Worship Giving Jesus Our All, I spoke about knowing Jesus’ value when we worship Him. Worship shouldn’t be something that costs us nothing. The Bible says that we must worship in Spirit and truth (John 4:23). It’s the definition of being a ‘true’ worshiper. Mary poured out a very expensive oil that was precious to her. She wanted to give Jesus her best even though others criticized her. She knew criticism already, she had heard it before, as we’ll see later in this blog.

Here I want to talk about 3 types of people who serve Jesus. Our goal should be number three. Let’s not settle for one or two. As we grow together in Christ we must strive for perfection. God wants the best for us and we can learn from Him.

1.    Worship that only welcomes Jesus in

Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. Luke 10:38

These are people that go to church off and on (some more frequently than others). They have asked Jesus into their hearts, but they don’t want anymore. They’re satisfied with compromise. They don’t speak of change or any commitment. They ask God to cleanse and forgive them, but that’s it. Some just want the benefits of salvation, but don’t allow the Spirit to work on the inside of them.

People who are at this stage don’t need to stay there. They can change at anytime if they allow the Spirit to work in them. Once they put their self-centeredness aside and get rid of their fears they can begin to move forward. God doesn’t want you to just welcome Him in, He wants to rearrange and move some things around.

Many of these people fill our churches today. They’re happy with receiving what they can, but never want to give. If you speak about giving or commitment, they stop coming to your church and quickly move to another. These are not the type of worshipers that Jesus is seeking.

2.    Worship that only focuses on serving

But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore, tell her to help me.” Luke 10:40

I know. I skipped one verse but for the purpose of the teaching I will get back to it in the next point. You will see why.

Those who only worry about serving are not “true worshipers”. They have a slave mentality. People with a slave mentality think they must serve for acceptance. This obviously isn’t true because you’ve been saved by grace.  Serving isn’t a bad thing of course. However, if it’s all we do, and we want to be seen by others, it becomes a problem. Serving should come out of a heart of love.

Some people are just too busy they forget about worship and intimacy with the Father. They’re so caught up with what they’re doing for Him they forget to be with Him. People who are only serving aren’t taking time for prayer and worship. This is a dangerous position.

The above verse says that Martha was distracted with much serving. Her distraction made her critical. Martha thought others should be serving just as much as she was. She felt that she was working harder than others and that they should do as she was doing.

Let’s not get distracted by much serving. We can serve, but make sure we have time to seek God’s face. We are accepted because He loves us, not because we serve. Guard against becoming critical against others who aren’t serving as much as you.

3.    Worship that sits at Jesus’ feet.

And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. Luke 10:39

I’ve gone back to the Scripture that I had skipped. Here we see Mary, she would sit at Jesus’ feet. She wanted to hear Him. Her desire was to be with Him. She knew that there was much to do and often probably helped, but at this time she wanted just to sit at His feet.

People who worship at Jesus’ feet lay their burdens there. They cast their care aside and allow God to work in them. These people are much different than the other two worshipers. They want commitment, have a desire to change and serve because they know their identity is in Jesus and not in serving.

This is the type of worshiper we should strive to be and here’s why:

And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:41, 42

Jesus praised this type of worship

Jesus recognized Mary as a true worshiper. He said that she had chosen the good part, which will not be taken away from her. Even though Martha was asking Jesus to make Mary serve, Jesus said she had chosen the right thing. Mary took time to worship Jesus during all the busyness of life.

Jesus wanted that Martha would have done the same. Martha was too busy criticizing that she missed out on what Jesus had for her at that time. He was teaching His disciples and wanting them to hear what He had to say. Martha didn’t know that because she was too busy.

Jesus seeks such worship

But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:23-24

Isn’t this verse amazing? Jesus says that God seeks these kinds of worshipers. In all other Scripture we seek God, but this is one where He seeks us. He is looking for people who will worship Him in Spirit and truth. If we will be those worshipers, God will seek us out.

Jesus wants us to be more like Mary. Yes, it’s important to serve, but the real value is in spending time with Him. Allow Him to mold & shape us into His image.

Let’s make it our aim to be true worshipers of Jesus. Let’s be the ones who want to sit at His feet. Allow Him to change you in His Presence. Be the person that He wants to find. A person who worships in Spirit and truth.

Steven Stoffelsen

Author of Trusting God’s Timing

Founder of House of Refuge Street Ministries