Did Jesus EVER Tell Us to Worship Him?
Should we worship Jesus Christ? And if so did he explicitly tell us to? There is a surprising number of people who say that since Jesus did not explicitly say ‘worship me’ implies he is not God and we should not. A similar question does God ever tells us to worship him anywhere in the Bible?
Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan; for it is written, “Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.”
Jesus quoting Ten Commandments in Matthew 4:10
Jesus never used the command “worship me.” But does that mean he was not God? I’d argue that it does not. Jesus actually went far beyond the command “worship me” many times. Actually it was Satan who said “worship me.”
And saith unto him, ‘All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.’
Satan in Matthew 4:9
Now does that me that satan is God? of course not. The idea that because Jesus did not say ‘fall down and worship me’ is proof that he is not God is utterly preposterous. Who are we to put that demanding test on God?
What Does it Mean to Worship?
The word worship is both a noun and verb. The first thing that comes to mind with worship is bowing down and prayer. More than once in both the old and new testaments angels are quick to turn down worship.
- noun – the feeling or expression of reverence and adoration for a deity.
- verb – display of reverence and adoration, honor with religious rights.
The Greek word used in Matthew which was translated worship is Strongs #4352 proskuneo. This means to prostrate oneself in homage (do reverence to, adore)
The Hebrew word translated to ‘worship’ is 7812 shachah, meaning to bow down.
Who Did Jesus Worship?
The only thing close to Jesus worshipping is found when he would pray to His Father. At times he would bow down, other times he would stand and look up to heaven. The most notable time is found in John 17 recalled his time in heaven with the Father in glory. Affirming his deity he recalled the glory he shared with the father in heaven before creation.
Now Father, glorify me together with yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.
John 17:5
Three Times That Jesus Was Worshipped
1. Palm Sunday:
As soon as He was approaching, near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the miracles which they had seen, 38 shouting: “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord; peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” 39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher rebuke your disciples”. 40 But Jesus answered, “I tell you, if these become silent, the stones will cry out!”
Luke 19:37
Jesus is entering Jerusalem, his followers start worshipping, this offended the Pharisees because they thought they were seeing blasphemy. Then Jesus essentially said if they were not loudly praising God even the rocks would worship me. In other words it was appropriate and right for them to be worshipping God / Himself at his entering the city of Jerusalem.
Later in this same passage he wept for Jerusalem (represented by the accusatory Pharisees who would be putting him to death in a few days). Saying Jerusalem did not recognize the time of your visitation from God. Luke 19:44
2. After his resurrection
Matthew 28:9 And as they went to to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. 10 Then said Jesus unto them, "Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me."3. Doubting Thomas
And Thomas (after putting his hands into Jesus’ side and hand wounds) answered and said unto him, “My Lord and My God.” 29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou has seen me, thou has believed blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
John 20:28
They key is to notice Jesus’ reaction to Thomas. Jesus affirmed and commended Thomas’ statement of faith in him personally as ‘Lord and God.’
Bonus Examples of Jesus being Worshiped in Scripture:
The Leper in Matthew 8:2-3, The Magi in Matthew 2:11,. The Men in the Boat in Matthew 14:33, His disciples after the resurrection in Matthew 28:9, the man born blind who Jesus healed in John 9:33-38.
On every occasion of Jesus being worshipped Jesus responded positively, not once did he say “don’t worship me.” As other servants of God on when they are worshipped in scripture. Apostles strongly deflect worship see Acts 14:14-15 , angles deflect worship see Revelation 19:10 (and many other places).
If Jesus were just a prophet or a good and godly man he certainly would have stopped people from worshipping him. Like the apostles and the angles do.
For more on a similar topic check out my article series What Jesus Said About Himself beginning here.
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