Smells, Sounds & Stuff

I was doing some reading yesterday.

Specifically, I was reading from the Bible Reading Plan—it had me in John chapter 12.

I was struck with the experiential nature of worship described…

First, a woman pours expensive perfume all over Jesus’ feet. Judas flips his lid—calling it a waste of resources, but Jesus defends her.

Next, a large crowd gathers around Jesus. They had palm branches (not sure really what they were doing with ‘em—I’ve always pictured them waving the branches around) and they shouted some good stuff about Jesus.

What I’m noticing about the worship described in these stories: there were smells, sounds and stuff.

Their worship was experiential.

Mary, the woman who poured perfume on Jesus’ feet, went home smelling like the perfume.

The crowd broke branches off palm trees.

Maybe their hands smelled like palm branches.

Maybe someone got a sliver in their finger.

And they shouted… they were yelling things.

Maybe someone went home with a hoarse voice.

Maybe some of them woke up the next morning with no voice left.

I think what I’m saying is that worship is more than just reciting something.

It’s more than singing along.

It’s experiential.

It might cost you something.

It might make you sweat (or even stink).

It could cause you to lose your voice.

You might even get a sliver.

It’s all good—embrace the experience.

Worship is experiential.