15/05/2026
THE WORSHIP INSTINCT
So they came to the tomb very early on Sunday morning with the spices and ointments they had prepared on Friday—not because they believed Jesus’ promise that He would rise again, but because they wanted to honor His body by anointing it.
They did all of this out of their love and reverence for Jesus Christ (Luke 7:36–50). This same motivation lay behind the woman’s breaking of the alabaster jar to anoint Jesus. It was the motivation behind the women’s ministering to Him out of their own resources. It was the motivation behind their following Him during His crucifixion, mourning even though they could do nothing to stop the cruelty and mockery of the crowd. It was the motivation behind their preparing the spices and ointments on Friday and their eagerness to rise very early on Sunday morning.
Even the problem of how the stone would be rolled away so they could anoint His body did not stop them. They went anyway.
Their love and reverence for Jesus were greater than the cost of the spices, greater than any obstacle they might face, greater than the danger they might encounter, and even greater than the limitations of their faith, which at that moment had not yet embraced Jesus’ promise of resurrection.
This is what I call worship instinct: The inward disposition of the heart that spontaneously moves a person to honor, love, and respond to Jesus Christ. It is the holy impulse that says, “How can I express my love, gratitude, and reverence for the Lord?” It is what causes a believer to do things for Jesus Christ voluntarily—not because they are commanded, pressured, or watched, but because the heart delights in Him.
Indeed, we will do far more to honor Jesus out of love and reverence for Him than we would ever do out of mere obedience to external rules and regulations.
Father, awaken and stir up a worship instinct within us by the grace of our Lord Jesus Amen
