True Worship

The warrior rode closer to the edge of the drop and saw the city in the distance, he gazed down from the high plateau. From this raised vantage point he could see the whole city surrounded by walls with buildings scattered like dice on a table. He wasn't a man to be intimidated but the size and the strength of the city meant that he had to get his thinking under control. He had a mission to accomplish and nothing could get in its way

The few men who were with him saw his anxious face but said nothing. They had been at his side for many years, they had seen him victorious on many occasions and trusted his judgement. Where he went, they would go as well. The warrior spoke to his horse who began to move on down the side of the hill, the men following. As the sun rose, they drew nearer to the city gates, huge timber doors surrounded by a large stone edifice. The watchman on the wall blew his trumpet and a few minutes later the doors opened, and the welcoming party rode out to towards the warrior

The warrior and his men looked around them as they were led to the guest's quarters. After their horses were stabled for the night, they were offered clean clothes and were led through to a dining room where food was laid out for them. After eating the warrior was taken to have an audience with the King, the reason for the long journey was about to be enacted

The warrior approached the King, every eye was focused on him. His reputation went before him and therefore the anticipation in the room was high. The King rose from his throne and walked down the steps towards the warrior, his dazzling robes caressing each step as he went. The warrior undid his belt buckle and slowly placed his sword on the floor. He had already been searched before he entered the room, this act was purely symbolic and emphasised his weakness before the King's strength

The King was flanked by his own body guards, each was dressed in rich robes and were heavily armed. Even the King had a razor-sharp weapon in a richly jewelled scabbard. The warrior approached the King and stopped in front of him. No words were spoken, none was needed. The warrior slowly dropped first to his knees, then laid at the King's feet. The warrior knew that this would be the key moment in ensuring that his mission be fulfilled

As he laid there, he could smell the King, his sweat mixed with fine perfume was almost overpowering. The stench of flesh and the aroma of wealth combined. He was totally in the hands of the most powerful man on earth. He could be killed or allowed to live, mutilated horribly or honoured, but the choice was out of his hands. In a strange way this act of bowing was true adulation, the warrior humbled and prostrate was laying his life voluntarily before his master

The warrior understood what it meant to give yourself to someone else, this was the ultimate example of ignoring your own status. He had not been forced, he had voluntarily submitted himself knowing it was what he wanted to do. He had lowered himself physically to demonstrate what he felt inwardly. It was almost an act of intimate connection as the two men occupied the same space, breathed the same air and focused on each other

He remained still for a few seconds, then the warrior grasped the Sovereign's feet in his hands and kissed them, lip to toe. This was an act of true worship

Note

The Greek word proskunéō; translated worship in the New Testament means to kiss, adore. To worship, do obeisance, show respect, fall or prostrate before. Literally, to kiss toward someone, to throw a kiss in token of respect or homage. The ancient oriental (especially Persian) mode of salutation between persons of equal ranks was to kiss each other on the lips; when the difference of rank was slight, they kissed each other on the cheek; when one was much inferior, he fell upon his knees and touched his forehead to the ground or prostrated himself, throwing kisses at the same time toward the superior. It is this latter mode of salutation that Greek writers express by proskunéō. In the New Testament generally, to do reverence or homage to someone, usually by kneeling or prostrating oneself before him.

The NIV Complete Word Study Bible