1. Introduction
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, did not nullify the commandments of God—He fulfilled them and reaffirmed their spiritual depth. Among these, the First Commandment remains foundational: exclusive worship of the one true God. In His teachings, temptations, and confrontations, Jesus consistently called for wholehearted allegiance to God. This entry explores how Jesus upheld the First Commandment and what it means for Christians today to worship God alone in a world full of rivals.
2. The First Commandment Reaffirmed
The First Commandment, as revealed to Moses, states:
“You shall have no other gods before me.”
— Exodus 20:3 (NIV)
This command is the cornerstone of covenant loyalty, requiring not just avoidance of idols but exclusive affection, trust, and obedience.
When Jesus was asked to name the greatest commandment, He drew directly from this foundation:
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”
— Matthew 22:37 (NIV); cf. Deuteronomy 6:5
He did not dismiss the Old Testament command but instead revealed its full meaning—not ritual compliance but relational devotion.
3. Jesus Resisted Idolatry in the Wilderness
In the wilderness temptation (Matthew 4:1–11), Satan offered Jesus all the kingdoms of the world in exchange for one act of idolatry. Jesus responded by quoting the First Commandment:
“It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”
— Matthew 4:10 (NIV); cf. Deuteronomy 6:13
This moment is critical: Jesus, as the perfect Israelite and the true Son, resisted the same temptation that Israel repeatedly failed. Where Israel bowed to idols in the wilderness (e.g., Exodus 32), Jesus upheld exclusive worship of God.
His victory sets the pattern for all believers: to refuse every offer of worldly power, pleasure, or security that demands compromise in worship.
4. Jesus Confronted Hidden Idols in People’s Lives
Though His audience did not worship carved images, Jesus exposed hidden idolatries—especially in areas such as wealth, reputation, and religion:
- Wealth as a rival master:
“No one can serve two masters… You cannot serve both God and money.”
— Matthew 6:24 (NIV)
- Public image as a form of self-worship:
“How can you believe, since you accept glory from one another but do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?”
— John 5:44 (NIV)
- Religious traditions elevated above God’s commands:
“You nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition.”
— Matthew 15:6 (NIV)
Jesus consistently called people to examine their true object of worship—not by what they profess, but by what they serve.
5. Worship in Spirit and Truth
Jesus redefined the place and manner of worship in His conversation with the Samaritan woman:
“A time is coming and has now come when the true worshippers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth… for they are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks.”
— John 4:23 (NIV)
Here, Jesus teaches that true worship is no longer confined to Jerusalem or a sacred mountain—it is centred in the heart, empowered by the Spirit, and grounded in truth.
This shifts worship from religious form to spiritual reality. Worship is no longer about the location or symbol but about the living response of the human soul to the living God.
6. Jesus Claimed Exclusive Worship for Himself
While affirming the First Commandment, Jesus also received worship as God:
“Thomas said to him, ‘My Lord and my God!’”
— John 20:28 (NIV)
“And those in the boat worshipped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’”
— Matthew 14:33 (NRSV)
Jesus did not reject this worship. He claimed equality with the Father (John 10:30), and in doing so, He revealed that the one God of Israel is now revealed as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—yet still calls for exclusive worship of Himself as Lord.
This confirms the Christological depth of the First Commandment: to worship Jesus as God is to obey the First Commandment—not to break it.
7. Contemporary Application: Christ-Centred Worship
In today’s world, idolatry may take subtler forms—such as:
- Careerism,
- Nationalism,
- Self-exaltation,
- Materialism,
- And even church culture when disconnected from Christ.
To obey the First Commandment in the light of Jesus is to:
- Renounce all competitors for our worship,
- Fix our eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2),
- Pursue intimacy, obedience, and praise with the Triune God.
8. Conclusion
Jesus did not abolish the First Commandment; He embodied, affirmed, and deepened its meaning. He resisted idolatry, exposed hidden forms of it, and taught that worship must be spiritual and exclusive. To follow Jesus is to say “no” to every rival god and to say “yes” to God alone—revealed in Christ.
9. Reflection and Prayer
Reflection Question:
What hidden rivals threaten to take the place of Jesus in your thoughts, affections, or priorities?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, You are worthy of all worship. I renounce every idol—seen or unseen—that competes with You. Teach me to worship in Spirit and truth, and to love You with all my heart, soul, and mind. Be the only God enthroned in my life. Amen.