Falling Down

Falling Down

Such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell on my face.

Ezekiel 1:28, ESV

Ezra praised the LORD, the great God, and all the people chanted, “Amen! Amen!” as they lifted their hands. Then they bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.

Nehemiah 8:6

When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man.

Revelation 1:17, NASB

Is there anything more embarrassing than falling down in public? Have you ever slipped on the sidewalk or in the middle of the school cafeteria with everyone watching? How humiliating! Falling down makes us feel out of control. And don’t we love to be cool and in control?

It is interesting to note that whenever people in the Bible got a glimpse of God, they fell down before him. And they weren’t at all embarrassed by it. For example, when John saw the resurrected Jesus, Revelation 1 says he “fell at his feet like a dead man.” A dead person is silent—no more negotiating, no more arguing, no more excuses. A dead person is still. No more wrestling with God’s will, no more running ahead of him or away from him.

When John saw Jesus, he had no desire to be in control. He wanted to surrender all control. He fell down before Jesus in worship and wonder, in submission and stillness. To worship facedown is the ultimate outward sign of inner surrender.

Falling before Jesus is the one place where falling is not embarrassing. To fall at the feet of Jesus is to finally come to the place where your reputation doesn’t matter anymore. Your appropriateness doesn’t matter anymore. In this place Jesus is all that matters.

DISCUSSION STARTERS

Have you ever fallen down in public or seen someone else fall down? What happened?

Why do you think so many biblical characters fell down before God?

Would you ever consider praying to God facedown? How might that impact your heart?