The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 2 — Section 419

II. THE PEOPLE OAR ENJOY WOBSHIP, When the heart is in it, no joy on earth can be more rich and full. "Lord, how delightful 'tie to see A 'IDhol.e e.ssembly worship thee!" The dreariness of Sunday just arises from the fact that so many people who go to church really take no part in the service. It must be wearisome to sit as spedator of a feast of which one does not partake. But when once a living interest is taken in the worship, and the spectator becomes a guest at the table, the whole character of the scene is changed, and the joy of worship is experienced, Then it is possible to say, "How amiable are thy tabernacles, 0 Lord of hosts I my soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord;" and "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord." III. WoBSHIP SHOULD BE ADAPTED TO THE PEOPLE. It may not be possible to make it all that we would desire in form and external expression. Indeed, popular worship can never reach the standard of fastidious mstheticism. In trying to satisfy the refined taste of one or two cultured persons, we may simply destroy the means of worship for the majority of a congregation. In that case the service, while it reaches the perfection of art, loses its spiritual character and degenerates into a mere musical performance. We should always bear in mind the practical end of worship, always see that it is in touch with the people and expresses and helps the devotion of the congre- gation genera.Uy. The church should be the people's home of worship, not the shrine of a privileged aristocracy. Christ was one of the people. IV, WORSHIP MOST NOT BE DEGRADED IN ORDER THAT IT MAY BE MADE POPULAR. There is considerable danger of running into tbis opposite extreme in the effort to attract and interest the indifferent. But then the whole object is defeated. We may get the people and amuse them for a while, but what is the use of doing so if we sacrifice the grea.tend of assembling together-the reverent adoration of the holy God? Fine art may be sacrificed, but spiritual reality must be retained. Religion, the essence of which is reverence, cannot be helped by mere vulgarity. 'l'he people's worship must be worship. Ver. 10.-" The Prince fa the midst of them." The centre of the glory of restored Israel was to be found in her prince. No prince appeared, however, who was able to accomplish the expectations of prophecy until the advont of Jesus Christ. He is" the Prince in the midst of his people." I. CHRIST 1s THE PBINOE OF HIS PEOPLE. 1. He is one of them. The Jew's Prince was a Jew, not a. foreigner. Christ is "the Firstborn among many brethren." He is a true Man, the Son of man. He bas been over the Christian course, and has himself lived the pattern Christian life. 2. He is their Head. Christ stoopH to save, but he rises again to rule. Even during his earthly humiliation he plainly took the lead among his disciples. Now he is seated on his throne in heaven, reigning over his Church. II. CHRIST IS IN THE MIDST OF HIS PEOPLE. During his earthly ministry he dwelt among men. Unlike John the Baptist, who retired to the solitude of the wilderness and to whom people had to come by leaving their homes, Jesus went about through the townR and villages of Israel, eating and drinking with all sorts and conditions of men. Although he is no longer visible, we have his assurance that he will be always with his true disciples (Matt. xxviii. 20). Christ does not simply visit his people in moments of great need; he is always with them. He <loes not select some choice followers for his companionship, to the neglect of the great body of his people, like a prince who enjoys himself with his courtiers and takes little or no notice of the bulk of the nation. Jesus is in the midst of his people, right in the centre of the population of the kingdom of heaven. III. CHRIST ENTERS INTO HIS PEOPLE'S WORSHIP. When the people go in, i.e. to the temple, the Prince shall go in. The Prince must worship with his people. Prince and peasant must bow together before their common Lord. Ev<:ry purely human prince needs to confess his sins as a penitent and to utter the publican's prayer, "God be merciful to me a siuner I " Christ the sinless l)annot take part in our conftssion except by sympaLhy. But he is with us throughou~ our worship. Christian worship at its l!,~EKI]!:L-~ 2f 434 THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET EZEKIEL. [oH. XLVI. 1-24.