https://odb.org/2023/08/18/festivals-of-worship
Our Jewish brothers back in the day would travel three times a year to Jerusalem to attend 3 festivals, namely, the Festival of the Unleavened Bread (the Passover), the Festival of Weeks and the Festival of Tabernacles. It’s a treacherous journey filled with danger and harm from bandits. Thus, the Jewish pilgrims will sing and recite Psalm 121, the Psalm of Accents, and pray for God’s mercy and protection. Jesus used this journey to narate the parable of the Good Samaritan. The Jewish pilgrims, in a way, were like salmon travelling upstream to spawn. Despite the tenous journey, they persevered.
In these modern post-Covid times, with the advent of double or triple vaccinations, it is thus sad and disappointing that there are still people who make excuses not to physically attend church. Choosing instead to tune in online – perhaps in their Pjs and with coffee in hand, somewhat reducing the Sunday worship to a TV programme and in the process of losing out significantly on the positive impact of congregational worship. Some people forget that the least one can do for one another is to show up as our physical presence encourages others. Most offices are now back to full-time on-site work. We need to all put Covid-19 behind us and do our best to bring normality back to everyday living, and that includes church worship services.
Make the effort to dress up and attend church on site on Sundays or Saturday evenings. It’s a place to worship God and meet Him face to face as we worship Him. Experience the tangible presence and power of the Holy Spirit as we sing songs of praise and worship in faith. Close our eyes and immerse ourselves as the congregation sings and worships in unison with the worship leader and the musicians. Speak to Jesus, commit our struggles to Him as we worship. Most importantly, enthrone the Lord, crown Him with many crowns. He is the King of Glory. Be encouraged and strengthened. The least we could do is to attend church on site after all that Jesus has done for us! Is it too hard to make that journey? Our Jewish brothers travelled for days to Jerusalem, and each of the festivals also lasted for at least a week!
Ronnie's Thoughts 