THEME: THE SPIRITUALITY OF WORSHIP VS. GEOGRAPHICAL RITUALISM 

Peace be unto all saints, the people of Ghana and friends of Ghana! We write this piece in contribution to the discussion on the government-generated, inspired, sponsored, facilitated, coordinated pilgrimage of selected Christian church pastors to Israel. 

The contribution we make is drawn essentially from a humble perspective of experience with the Christian pilgrimage—the journey to the Promised Land of Eternal Life and Glory in the Divine Nature of Christ Jesus, who is now seated by the side and bosom of the Father. The Christian calling is a pilgrimage journey on the path of; growth, maturity, perfection, and glory in the graces, riches, and glory of Jesus Christ in the worship and service, works, and honor of Jehovah God in life on earth and in heaven. This simply stated, is a spiritual matter which knows not, does not depend upon, and bears no geographical nor historical boundaries and significance. The Christian pilgrimage on the “upward journey of high calling” in Christ does not require, demand, nor involve ceremonies and rituals. It is for this reason Christ Jesus—the Messiah, Master and Lord—told the Samaritan woman we do not invoke the Omnipresent, Omnipotent, Omniscient Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in any way save in spirit and truth saying; “Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.  (John 4: 21-24 KJV) 

Simply stated, this implies that the Christian faith does not teach, demand, nor require pilgrimage orders, ceremonies, rituals, and all for spiritual growth and maturity, promotion, perfection, accolades, and titles for the believer and worshipper of God. The God of Israel, Father of Jesus Christ, is everywhere-present, ever-alert, vigilant spirit and covenant keeper. He is within access and reach to all forgiven sins, washed by the blood, sanctified by the truth, connected to the Spirit of Christ by birth in Him and also connected to and filled with the Holy Spirit. All who diligently seek Him Jehovah God the Father find Him. Even unbelievers, sinners, and unrighteous—who a slight of faith, call on Him—do receive hearing and help from Him. The merciful and faithful God does not deny Himself, the more so that He knows the state of weak, corruptible, hopeless, and mortal man. 

WHY LOOK FOR THE LIVING AMONG THE DEAD! 

The Christian faith, therefore, does not treat pilgrimage to birth and death places, spiritual and historical sites as an essential and compulsory ingredient in the worship and service of God, nor for righteousness, holiness, faithfulness, maturity, and perfection in the graces, riches, and glory in Christ. Pilgrimages to these sites are not forbidden, nevertheless. Knowledge and inspiration can be gained; spiritual connection can be affirmed and strengthened. But they are not necessary for spiritual ascent into the heights and depths of the faith and glory of God.  

When crucified, dead, and buried Jesus Christ rose from the dead and the disciples went looking for Him at the tomb, the angels on sentry at the tomb asked them:  “WHY DO YOU SEEK THE LIVING AMONG THE DEAD?” (Luke 24:5).  Our God, the Living God, does not dwell in tombs, graves, birth places, forests, rivers, stones, mountains, and the deep sea. The Father and Son make appearances and grant appointments at places and times they choose. But such places are not hallowed as “Holy Sites” for Divine Encounter. Religion and romanticism may explore, teach, and exhort inspirational exercises at spiritual and historical sites. However, the God of Israel, Father of Jesus Christ the Son do not make pilgrimage and prayers at spiritual and historical sites important binding for attention and favors from them. 

MOSES DEATH PLACE UNKNOWN 

It is because of this that God the Father—the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Aaron, and Israel—did not allow the people of Israel to witness, see, and know where Moses died. Had they known, Israel would have made a Tomb, Grotto, or Image of Moses for visitation, prayers, and worship.  

Again, one of the reasons the Spirit of God has not made prayers at special sites binding and compulsory is that God the Father does not want His people to make, worship, and serve images. Thus, the Lord Jesus Christ prevented the disciples from making a fetish of the tomb by telling the women—and thus all His people: “WHY LOOK FOR THE (RISEN and) LIVING GOD AMONG THE DEAD?”  

We do not seek to meet and commune with the risen and Living Jesus Christ and hence the Father in graves and tombs, by rivers, lakes and lagoons, in forests, stones and at mountain tops. We seize this opportunity to humbly request apostles, prophets, pastors, and saints of the Christian Church who go to Israel and  bring back or—sell—so-called “HOLY WATER” from the Jordan River, the Dead Sea, or some other relic or another, deceiving themselves while defrauding, cheating, and robbing others to desist and stop lies and the wickedness. 

In this regard, we humbly plead that the Good and Mighty Name of Jesus Christ—Saviour, Redeemer, Lord, and King of Ghana—the Messiah and God of the universe should not be drawn into the religion, politics, and ambitions in national affairs seeking His Hand and Blessings for gain glory upon nation and all. The Father and Son can be contacted, seen, and heard everywhere when He and the Father are sought diligently. The Holy Spirit is present with the Church everywhere and anytime they gather.  

 “And God spake all these words, saying, I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before Me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God Am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate Me; And showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep My commandments. Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain.” (Exodus 20: 1-7 KJV) 

(Published Monday, April 08, 2013, pg. 3 of The Ghanaian Observer)