What connections exist between Deuteronomy 16:6 and New Testament teachings on worship? Deuteronomy 16:6 in Focus “you are to offer the Passover only at the place the LORD your God will choose to establish His Name; there you must sacrifice the Passover in the evening, at sunset, at the time you came out of Egypt.” Key Truths Embedded in the Verse • One appointed place – worship is not left to personal preference • One appointed time – obedience down to the hour matters • One appointed act – Passover sacrifice recalling redemption from Egypt Fulfilled in Christ • The Place: Jesus Himself – “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” (John 2:19) – God establishes His Name in the Son; worship now centers on Him (Colossians 1:19) • The Sacrifice: Jesus as Passover Lamb – “For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.” (1 Corinthians 5:7) – He died at “the ninth hour” as evening approached (Mark 15:34, 42), mirroring the sunset timing • The Remembrance: The Lord’s Supper – “Do this in remembrance of Me.” (1 Corinthians 11:24) – Gathered worship continually rehearses deliverance, just as Israel recalled the Exodus New Testament Worship Echoes • Centrality of God’s chosen “place” → gathered “in My Name” (Matthew 18:20) • Strict obedience in gathered worship → Ananias & Sapphira warn of holy reverence (Acts 5) • Corporate, not private, remembrance → “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching… the breaking of bread.” (Acts 2:42) • Spiritual yet concrete worship → “true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth.” (John 4:23) • Bold access through the blood → “We have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus.” (Hebrews 10:19) Takeaways for Today • Assemble around Christ, the divinely chosen meeting place, rather than personal tastes or mere buildings • Keep the Lord’s Supper central, a continual sunset-type reminder of the Lamb’s sacrifice • Approach with obedience and reverence—God still determines how He is to be worshiped • Let each gathering recall redemption and anticipate the greater exodus at Christ’s return The Old Testament command points straight to New Testament worship: God-chosen center, God-appointed sacrifice, God-shaped remembrance—fulfilled perfectly in Jesus and practiced faithfully in His church. |
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