The performance was done, and the crowd rose in thunderous applause. They continued standing for several minutes, clapping loudly. Then, finally, the performers came out and took a bow, and the place erupted in celebration. It took an extended time before the crowd died down after they left the stage.

The crowd’s approval was clear from their response to what they had just witnessed. I wondered, “Could it get any better than this?”

Paul writes to the Church in the city of Philippi. In the second chapter, he breaks into a hymn of Jesus. He describes how he left heaven to go to the cross. Then it says, “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11 – NIV 2011)

Revelation chapter four paints this picture of heaven. Everyone comes before God and worships him. But a scroll needs to be read, and no one can open it. Then in chapter five comes a lamb that was slain. It is a picture of Jesus in glory. All those in heaven bow before him. As Paul says to the Philippians, “Every knee will bow.”

Make no mistake, Jesus is not looking for our praise and adoration at his performance. He is worthy of our worship.