Worship: Welcoming Him (29/03/2026)
Welcoming Him with Our Worship
Sarah Searle shared with us today about what it really means to welcome Jesus through our worship — and why it matters far more than we might realise.
It started with a beautiful picture God gave Sarah last year. As the church was worshipping, she saw streams of water flowing down both aisles, and Jesus walking in on those streams. He said to her clearly: "I welcome you with my blood. You welcome me with your worship." That exchange — his welcome and ours — was at the heart of everything Sarah explored this Palm Sunday morning.
The King Who Came in Humbly
Looking at Matthew 21, Sarah walked us through the familiar story of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. After a five-day walk from Capernaum — healing, teaching, and staying with friends along the way — Jesus arrived at the Mount of Olives and sent his disciples to fetch a donkey. Not a warhorse. Not a chariot. A young donkey.
He was fulfilling the prophecy from Zechariah: "See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey." He had every right to enter Jerusalem displaying his power, but he chose to come in meekly and humbly. That humility, Sarah reminded us, is part of why he is exalted to the highest place. It's one of the most beautiful things about him.
But Jesus wasn't only fulfilling prophecy — he was also making one. The same passage in Zechariah goes on to say: "They will look on me, the one they have pierced… a fountain will be opened to cleanse them from sin." He was saying: I'm the one coming in on this donkey, and I'm going to be pierced, and I will open a fountain to cleanse you from all sin.
A Highway of Praise
As Jesus rode in, the crowds cried out, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" — literally meaning "save us," but also a joyful declaration: you are the one who saves. When the Pharisees tried to shut it down, Jesus replied that if the people stopped, the very rocks would cry out. A cry of praise simply has to go up when the King comes in.
Sarah drew a beautiful connection to the last time God's presence was processed into Jerusalem — when David brought the Ark of the Covenant in with dancing, shouting, and the blowing of ram's horns. God is welcomed in on praise. He moves along a highway of worship, and we get to create it.
Do We Really Believe Something Happens?
Sarah asked an honest question: when we sing on a Sunday morning, do we actually believe something is happening in the spiritual realm — or does it just feel like going to a concert?
She shared a passage from Rick Joyner's The Final Quest, describing worship in heaven — how a golden glow began to emanate from the Lord, how colours of unimaginable richness enveloped the worshippers, and how the more intensely they worshipped, the more of his glory they could see. The author reflected: "Such worship was what we were created for, and it would surely be the best part of heaven."
Start Before You Feel It
Perhaps the most encouraging part of the morning was Sarah's call to worship even when we don't feel like it. She shared how Bill Johnson, in the early days of ministry, would go into the church sanctuary late at night to dance, shout, and praise — choosing to make his praise as intense as the cloud of depression over his head. Every time, something would shift inside him, and the cloud would lift.
Sarah then told us her own story from the night before — worshipping alone in her kitchen, dancing and feeling absolutely nothing for a long time. Until the Holy Spirit gently said, "Come on. Just dance." As soon as she started moving again, he came. "That's all he wants," she said. "For us to welcome him."
She also celebrated members of the church family who've modelled this — like Lizzie, who pushed through discomfort at a recent worship night to dance and wave a flag, saying simply: "I just want him to receive the praise he deserves."
Scripture References
Matthew 21:1–11
Zechariah 9:9; 12:10; 13:1
2 Samuel 6:14–15
What This Means for Us
God has been speaking to us as a church about welcoming something new — about celebration, joy, and ushering his presence in through praise. It won't look the same for everyone. Some of us dance. Some shout. Some stand quietly with hands lifted. The point is to release what's inside, to welcome him however it comes out — and to start before we feel it. As we do, he comes.
Something to Think About This Week
What would it look like for you to worship God this week — not because you feel like it, but because he deserves it? What might shift if you chose to praise him right in the middle of whatever cloud is over your head?
A Prayer
Lord Jesus, we want to welcome you. Help us to worship you not just with our words but with everything we are — even when it feels uncomfortable or unfamiliar. Come and meet us as we step out in praise. Holy Spirit, give us fresh eyes to see what happens when we worship. We love you. Amen.
Join Us
If you'd like to find out more about Redcar Baptist Church, we'd love to see you on a Sunday morning or hear from you through our website. You're always welcome.
