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DISCUSSION FORUM-3: Christology of Worship
After reading selected chapters from Proclamation and Praise and watching the video
presentations by Dr. Ron Man and Dr. Vernon Whaley, articulate the theological basis for the
Christology of Worship, and describe the role Jesus has as our worship leader. How should this
affect the way we lead worship and the way we help our congregations understand our role as a
worship leader?
Good afternoon everyone,
The four books of the Gospel: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John describe the ministry of
Jesus Christ here on earth. The book of Hebrews defines His ministry at the right hand of God, in
heaven. Jesus Christ is central to the book of Hebrews and He is seen as superior to all of the Old
Testament forms of worship. Jesus alone is sufficiently prepared to serve the role as our own
personal high priest. And, He is passionate in accepting His responsibility to lead us in worship.
The ministry of Christ is shown in Hebrews as the only basis through which we can offer
suitable worship to God in the past (on the cross), present (at the right hand of God), and future
(coming in clouds of glory) (Heb. 13:8).
When Jesus took on the responsibility of High Priest, He forever changed the way we
worship God. First, the method changed because we no longer need to go through a human
priest, we can go directly to God through Jesus. His priesthood is royal – because Jesus is King.
His priesthood is universal – it is for all nations. His priest is forever – not just an annual
sacrifice. Second, He changed our model for worship by becoming our new covenant (Heb.
8:13). God’s promises are no longer written on stone tablets, they are written on the heart. Grace
replaces the law. Third, He changed the manner of our worship. Jesus becomes our total venue
through whom we worship. He gives us a new place to worship, a new tabernacle (Heb. 9:1-12).
He gives us a better sacrifice, forever (Heb. 10:18). He is without blame or blemish. And, he
gives us a new sacrifice for worship, himself. As High Priest, Jesus Christ has a double ministry
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of representing God to man, and representing man to God. Therefore, the focus has shifted to the
new covenant within the work of Jesus Christ and He is now the focal point to our worship or the
core of our worship because He is the focal point of redemption, resurrection, salvation, and
eternal life for fellowship with God. Worship theologian, Kevin Navarro states that what makes
Christian worship distinctive from Jewish worship is the role of Jesus Christ as High Priest.
We’ve learned about the superiority of Christ and the High Priest ministry of Jesus. Both
ministries position Jesus to be our chief worship leader as Romans 11:26 said that all our
worship from, through and to God. Our worship being through Jesus is dealt with in Hebrews
2:12. Therefore, Jesus Christ not only serves as our High Priest (the one interceding with God on
our behalf) but he is also seen as the true Leader of our worship. The role that Jesus has as our
worship leader is divided into two areas: proclaiming truth about God to believers – revelation.
And singing praise back to God in the congregation – response. It is important to see that Jesus
Himself is leading this time of proclamation. “I will declare,” is the statement (Heb. 2:12). We
don’t have to invite Him to come and declare or speak to us. He is already there when we
worship. Jesus wants us to understand the seriousness of worshiping one name, one person, one
deity, and one Lord. He stands in the midst as the ultimate teacher of worship by saying, “I will
declare your name.” This statement by Jesus implies ownership, authority, and purpose. Jesus
himself is portrayed as the enabler and communicator of truth. After all, He is the giver of all
revealed truth. The second part of Jesus’ responsibility in leading worship is to “sing praise in the
congregation.” This is our response to God’s revealed truth. And, Jesus leads us in that response.
When Jesus takes control of the worship leading, He incorporates the entire body of Christ in the
experience. The opportunity for worship is not just given to a few select preachers and
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musicians. The worship through which He provides leadership is for every believer – no one is
excluded.
Again, Jesus is our High Priest and therefore He represent us before the Father. It is
through Jesus Christ that our worship is acceptable to the Father. Ron Man also states that only in
and through Christ can we enter into God’s presence in worship.1 We are encouraged to approach
the throne of grace with confidence (Heb. 4:16). We are free to worship the living God. Because
of who we are in Jesus, we can come before the Father. This is a tremendous truth for Christians.
As believers in Jesus Christ we need to get this deep into our souls. This one truth alone is why
we are worshiper of the living God. The writer of Hebrews concludes this wonderful theology of
worship by exhorting us with a word on how to respond to God: “Through Jesus, therefore, let us
continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips that confess his name” (Heb.
13:15). Therefore, we as worship leader have to encourage and tell our musicians or worship
team that if they accidentally make a mistake, they shouldn’t be discouraged, because Christ’s
worship on our behalf is perfect.
1 Man, Ron. Proclamation and Praise. (Eugene, OR: Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2007), 55.
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