The Lord had given specific instructions concerning Israel’s worship. For instance, the Tabernacle was the ordained place of worship (Deut. 12:5;18). Upon entering the Promised Land, Israel wasn’t to forsake God’s instructions and adopt the Canaanite’s way of worship. Therefore, the Lord told them to tear down the Canaanite’s altars, pillars, and idols (Deut. 12:3).
Furthermore, the central location of the Tabernacle fostered unity and gave focus to the religious life of Israel. Strange worship was forbidden and to be shunned. Israel’s worship, and way of life were to be distinct. Any attempts to worship or to behave like heathen nations would lead to Israel’s demise.
One of the differences between the Old and New Testament is that the Old Testament places emphasis on a place, notably the Tabernacle. The New Testament, on the other hand, places emphasis upon a person, namely Jesus Christ. The person and work of Jesus Christ superseded the place of the Old Testament. Worship in the Old Testament was restricted to the Tabernacle and eventually the Temple. Jesus replaces the divine place, with His divine presence.
Jesus told the Samaritan woman at the well, “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” (Jn. 4:23-24).
Worship of Jesus isn’t limited to a place. You can worship Him wherever you are. Just because we can worship Christ whenever, and wherever we desire, does not mean that we can worship Him haphazardly. Jesus said we must worship Him in spirit and in truth. Only those who have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and who obey the truth of God’s Word, can properly worship Him.