WHERE IS OUR REVERENCE TODAY?

Mark 5:21-24

Sunday Morning Sermon

May 17, 1998

Fair Avenue Baptist Church

In my Bible reading several months ago I saw something in the Scriptures that compelled me to do some digging in the Bible.  I saw that phrase, “he fell at his feet.”

There must have been something about the Lord that overwhelmed people.  I believe it was the presence of God in His life.

There was just something about Jesus that overcame people.

It was the Holy Spirit of Almighty God that reverberated in the life of Christ.

People were humbled by the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Jarius “fell” at the feet of Jesus.  It is the Greek word (PIPTO, pipto) meaning “the act of prostration, to prostrate oneself, in homage and worship.”

No, it’s not talking about “prostate” as in prostate cancer or disease.

“the act of prostration, to prostrate oneself”

Prostrate - lying on the ground with the body extended, lying at mercy, as a supplicant, lying in the posture of humility or adoration

“in homage and worship”

Homage - reverential worship, devout affection

In the Feudal system of ancient England, there was a ceremony of doing “homage” where the tenant would promise “homage” to his lord, or superior.  The tenant, being ungirt and uncovered, kneeled and help up both hands between those of the lord, who sat before him, and there professed that “he did become his man, from that day forth, of life and limb and earthly honor,” and then received a kiss from his lord.

Our story in Mark 5 probably was a similar one.

Jarius “fell” at the feet of Jesus.

“lying at mercy”

“in the posture of humility”

“in reverential worship”

I believe Jarius fell at the feet of Jesus in a kneeling position, in a position of humility and mercy.

Jarius had a need and he went to Jesus.

He went to Jesus with all his heart,

Heartbroken because of his daughter,

Lying near death,

He fell at the feet of Jesus,

Lying in mercy,

In humility.

I began to do a little research into that phrase, “fell at his feet.”

Gen. 17:3             “fell on his face”

WHY?  The presence of the Lord God

Lev. 9:24              “fell on their faces”

WHY?  The presence of the Lord on the altar in the Tabernacle

Num. 16:22                   “they fell on their faces”

WHY?  Because of their sins

Num. 16:45                   “fell upon their faces”

WHY?  The voice of the Lord

Num. 20:6           “fell upon their faces”

WHY?  Moses and Aaron went into the door of the Tabernacle

Deut. 9:18            “fell down before the Lord”

WHY?  Because of the sin of the people

Joshua 5:14                   “fell on his face to the earth”

WHY?  Joshua saw the captain of the host of the Lord

I Kings 18:39       “they fell on their faces”

WHY?  The presence of the Lord

I Chron. 21:16     “fell upon their faces”

WHY?  The sins of the people

II Chron. 20:18   “fell before the Lord”

WHY?  Because God gave the victory

Ezra 9:5               “fell upon my knees”

WHY?  The sins of the people

Job 1:20               “fell down upon the ground”

WHY?  A time of trial and tribulation in the life of Job when he lost his children

Ezekiel 1:28         “fell upon my face”

WHY?  The glory of the Lord

Ezekiel 9:8           “fell upon my face”

WHY?  The sins of the people

Ezekiel 11:13       “fell down upon my face”

WHY?  Because of God’s promise

Ezekiel 43:3,4      “fell upon my face”

WHY?  The glory of the Lord in the temple

Matt. 17:6           “fell on their face”

WHY?  The voice of the Lord God

Matt. 26:39                   “fell on his face”

WHY?  Even Jesus had reverence for the Father

Mark 3:11           “fell down before him”

WHY?  Even the demons fall down before Him

Mark 7:25           “fell at his feet”

WHY?  The presence of the Lord

Luke 5:8              “fell down at Jesus’ knees”

WHY?  Peter did so because of his sin of unbelief

Luke 5:12            “fell on his face”

WHY?  He saw the face of Jesus

Luke 8:28            “fell down before him”

WHY?  Once again, even the demons fall down before Jesus

Luke 17:16          “fell down on his face”

WHY?  He was thankful to the Lord for his healing

In each instance it was an act of homage,

An act of humility,

An act of reverence.

Whether it was reverence,

Or fear,

Or thankfulness,

Or confession,

Or whatever,

There is just something about a reverence for the Lord God that is all throughout Scripture.

These Scriptures give no hint at flippancy,

No idea of casualness,

No thought of lightheartedness.

This was a serious matter to each and every one of them, including Jesus Christ Himself.

I don’t see them beebopping over to the Lord,

I don’t see them trying to act cool,

I don’t see a casual attitude,

I don’t see a happy-go-lucky attitude,

I don’t see them acting nonchalant.

I see a humbleness,

I see a brokenness,

I see a humble spirit,

I see a respect,

I see a reverence,

I see a devotion,

I see a purposeness,

I see a seriousness,

This is God,

God Almighty,

The Lord God.

I guess what I’m trying to get around to saying is, “WHERE IS OUR REVERENCE TODAY?”

Where is our posture of humility?

Where is our reverential worship?

Where is our protrateness of heart?

Now, I’m not saying we have to fall down on the ground, stretched completely out before God.

I’m not saying we have to fall on our faces at the altar.

I’m just asking, “WHERE IS OUR REVERENCE TODAY?”

Where is our humility before God?

Where is our humbleness before God?

Where is our brokenness before God?

Where is our reverential worship?

Where is our godly fear?

Where is our spirit of thankfulness?

Where is our spirit of confession?

We know it’s not there.

We know it’s not in our hearts.

If it was, why would walk in late?

Why would be act so casual?

Why would we dress so casual?

Why would our attitude be so flippant?

Even the demons had a reverential fear of God and they bowed down.

Dozing off,

Flipping through a songbook,

Balancing the checkbook,

Flipping through the Bible (at least we look spiritual)

Writing notes,

Daydreaming,

Are those evidences of reverence?

Are those evidences of reverential worship?

Arms folded,

Nonchalant,

Yawning,

Looking around,

Acting disinterested,

Hiding behind the person in front of them,

Always looking down,

Do those things show a humbleness?

Do they show a position of mercy?

Do they show a feeling of inadequacy before an Almighty God?

The demons have a stronger respect for God and the things of God than most Christians do today.

I just don’t see Moses and Aaron going in the door of the Tabernacle talking about the axe throwing contest the day before.

I just don’t see Abraham walking toward the Lord God and discussing the number of calves born the month before.

I don’t see Joshua talking about the weather when he was talking to the captain of the host of the Lord.

I don’t see the disciples sitting around acting casual on the Mount of Transfiguration.

I see a slight apprehensiveness,

I see a slight caution,

I see a seriousness,

I see a godly respect,

I don’t see a casual attitude,

I don’t see a lackadaisical attitude,

I don’t see a happy-go-lucky attitude.

No, I see a reverence,

I see a godly fear,

I see a devotion,

I see a reverential worship.

Even Jesus Christ Himself knew that when He approached the Heavenly Father.

This has to do with God,

This is part of God Himself,

This is God’s House,

This is the House of God,

A place of worship,

A place of reverential worship,

A place where we come to meet with God.

The question remains, “WHERE IS OUR REVERENCE TODAY?”