Why Worship?

At the end of Luke's account of Jesus' ministry he mentions two significant things. Jesus ascended in the view of the Apostles. And the Apostles return with joy and continually bless God in the Temple. Make no mistake, they're there because of what's in their hearts. But what's in their hearts is there because of God's work in the world and in their hearts. The only reason there is anything good in our hearts is because of Jesus' presence there. Otherwise we would have only the sinful nature. Jesus' assessment of the sinful nature is unvarnished. He says, "If you, being evil, know how to give good things to your children..." (Matthew 7:11). We who are evil need a physician., and Jesus is that physician. He has redeemed us, and made us new. He reigns in grace, and because of all he has done, we delight to worship him. Not so that he will see the good in us, but because he has redeemed us and we are truly and deeply thankful to him!