The preposition “down”
1) When we look at the New Testament we find the word “down” being used to describe people.
2) When people worshipped deity, they sometimes “fell down” and worshipped.
3) People showed the deepest and fullest respect and reverence for God that they could show.
4) This falling down was not associated with the false claims of Pentecostalism.
5) People had a recognition of who God is and they responded with the most submissive type of posture.
a) We find our first example of this in Mt. 2:11.
6) These men believed Jesus was “king of the Jews” and they wanted to “worship him” (verse 2).
a) What earthly king deserves worship?
b) These men did not come from across town; they apparently journeyed for several months one way.
7) These men may have had close to ten months total travel time, plus some preparation time.
a) Mt. 2:11 – READ
b) Jesus was a small child, but these men treated the Lord in the most respectful way they could.
c) They “fell down” before the child and they “worshipped” this child.
8) The devil (Satan) must know a little something about worship.
9) He spent some time in heaven and heaven is a place of worship, so Satan knows how worship should operate.
10) Let’s look at Mt. 4; the specific reference is Mt. 4:9.
11) Many think Satan simply wanted Jesus to “worship” him.
12) This is not quite what the text says – let’s get the exact wording – Mt. 4:9 – READ
a) Satan wanted Jesus to “fall down” and then worship.
b) Why use the extra words “fall down”?
13) In Mt. 2 and Mt. 4 the same point is being made about worship.
14) In worship we acknowledge someone’s greatness and our weaknesses.
15) This point is explained and illustrated once again in Mt. 18.
a) The debtor “fell down” and “worshiped” the Lord and asked for patience on paying the debt.
b) The master of the servant was moved by this act and had “compassion” (verse 27).
16) Our attitudes and our actions sometimes speak volumes.
17) When it comes to worship, some pretend and they can be good at pretending.
18) In Mt. 27:29 we find an example of pretend worship.
19) Our next reference comes from Mk. 1:7.
20) The 7th verse of Mk. 1 – READ
21) – READ Mk. 3:11.
a) Demons fell down before God. Why did these creatures do this?
b) They recognized God (in this case Jesus) for who He is.
22) All too often we have people (even in the church) who do not really stop to think about who God is.
23) God is the ultimate power and authority and we are to be in awe of Him.
24) A woman had a daughter who was sick – demon possessed – Mk. 7:25.
a) She came to Jesus and “fell down” at His feet.
25) After Lazarus died, Jesus went to this home.
26) Jn. 11:32 says Mary “fell down at his feet.”
27) There are some people we would not want to submit to and kneel before.
Jesus is not on this list.