MOÄT GÖÔNG MAËT THAY ÑOÅI VAØ MOÄT BOÄ CAÙNH / A CHANGED FACE AND A SET OF WINGS (SGTY 09-02)

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} Moät Traùi Tim Ñoùi Khaùt Thôø Phöôïng Nhöõng ngöôøi ngoài treân phi cô vaø nhöõng ngöôøi ngoài treân baêng gheá nhaø thôø coù raát nhieàu ñieåm gioáng nhau. Taâát caû ñeàu treân moät haønh trình. Haàu heát giöõ tö caùch toát ñeïp vaø lòch söï. Moät soá nguû gaø nguûû gaät, moät soá khaùc ñaêm nhìn ra cöûa soå. Haàu heát, neáu khoâng phaûi taát caû, thoûa loøng vôùi moät kinh nghieäm coù theå ñoaùn tröôùc. Ñoái vôùi nhieàu ngöôøi, daáu hieäu cuûa moät chuyeán bay toát ñeïp vaø daáu hieäu cuûa moät buoåi nhoùm thôø phöôïng toát ñeïp gioáng nhau. Chuùng ta thích noùi: “Toát ñeïp.” – “Moät chuyeán bay toát ñeïp,” hay “Moät buoåi thôø phöôïng toát ñeïp.” Chuùng ta ñi ra cuøng moät loái chuùng ta vaøo, vaø chuùng ta vui veû trôû laïi kyø tôùi. Duø vaäy, coù vaøi ngöôøi khoâng thoûa loøng vôùi chöõ “toát ñeïp.” Hoï mong muoán ñieàu gì hôn nöõa. Moät caäu beù vöøa chen qua tröôùc toâi, ñaõ laøm ñieàu ñoù. Toâi nghe caäu noùi tröôùc khi toâi thaáy caäu. Toâi ngoài vaøo gheá khi Caäu hoûi: “Thaät hoï seõ cho toâi gaëp vò hoa tieâu chaêng?” Coù theå caäu may maén hay khoân ngoan, vì caäu ñaõ toû lôøi yeâu caàu ngay khi böôùc vaøo phi cô. Lôøi yeâu caàu troâi vaøo phoøng laùi, khieán vò hoa tieâu thoø ñaàu ra. OÂng hoûi: “Ai ñang tìm toâi?” - “Daï toâi,” caäu beù giô tay leân nhö theå caäu ñaùp laïi caâu hoûi cuûa coâ giaùo lôùp hai. “OÀ, vaøo ñaây.” Sau caùi gaät ñaàu cuûa meï, caäu beù ñi vaøo theá giôùi cuûa nhöõng ñoàng hoà vaø caùc boä ñieàu khieån trong phoøng laùi, roài trôû ra vôùi caëp maét nôû to. Caäu tuyeân boá: “Chao oâi! Toâi raát vui söôùng ñöôïc ñi treân chuyeán phi cô naày!” Khoâng neùt maët ngöôøi naøo khaùc baøy toû söï kyø dieäu nhö vaäy. Toâi phaûi bieát. Toâi ñaõ chuù yù. Söï thích thuù cuûa caäu beù kích ñoäng toâi, neân toâi quan saùt göông maët cuûa caùc haønh khaùch khaùc, nhöng khoâng thaáy ai say meâ nhö vaäy. Haàu heát, toâi thaáy söï thoûa loøng: caùc du khaùch thoûa loøng ñöôïc leân phi cô, thoûa loøng saép gaàn nôi ñeán, thoûa loøng luùc ra khoûi phi tröôøng, thoûa loøng khi ñöôïc ngoài, ngaém nhìn vaø ít noùi. Coù moät vaøi ngoaïi leä. Naêm hay saùu phuï nöõ trung nieân, ñoäi muû rôm vaø mang tuùi ñi bieån, khoâng phaûi haøi loøng, song hôùn hôû. Hoï cöôøi khuùc khích suoát loái vaøo. Toâi ñoan chaéc hoï laø nhöõng baø-meï-ñöôïc-giaûi-phoùng-khoûi-beáp-nuùc-vaø-con-caùi. Anh chaøng ngoài beân kia loái ñi, trong boä com-leâ xanh, khoâng phaûi haøi loøng, nhöng kyø cuïcï. Anh môû chieác maùy ñieän toaùn xaùch tay vaø cau coù tröôùc caùi maøn aûnh nhoû suoát chuyeán ñi. Duø vaäy, haàu heát chuùng ta vui veû hôn anh, neùn loøng hôn caùc baø. Haàu heát chuùng ta thoûa loøng. Thoûa loøng vôùi moät chuyeán bay coù theå ñoaùn tröôùc vaø khoâng bieán coá. Thoûa loøng vôùi moät chuyeán bay toát ñeïp. Vaø bôûi ñoù laø ñieàu chuùng ta tìm kieám, thì ñoù laø ñieàu chuùng ta nhaän ñöôïc. Caäu beù, traùi laïi, muoán hôn nöõa. Caäu muoán gaëp vò hoa tieâu. Neáu yeâu caàu moâ taû veà chuyeán bay, caäu seõ khoâng noùi: “Toát ñeïp.” Caäu coù theå cho xem ñoâi caùnh baèng nhöïa maø vò hoa tieâu ñaõ taëng caäu, vaø noùi: “Toâi ñaõ gaëp con ngöôøi ôû phía tröôùc.” Baïn bieát taïi sao toâi noùi raèng nhöõng ngöôøi treân phi cô vaø nhöõng ngöôøi treân baêng gheá nhaø thôø coù raát nhieàu ñieåm gioáng nhau? Haõy vaøo moät thaùnh ñöôøng vaø nhìn nhöõng göông maët. Vaøi ngöôøi khuùc khích, ñoâi ngöôøi cau coù; song phaàn lôùn chuùng ta haøi loøng. Haøi loøng vì ñöôïc ôû ñoù. Haøi loøng vì coù choã ngoài vaø ñöôïc nhìn thaúng veà tröôùc, vaø ra khoûi ñoù khi tan leã. Haøi loøng vì ñöôïc vui veû vôùi moät hoäi chuùng khoâng coù nhöõng baát ngôø hay giao ñoäng. Haøi loøng vôùi moät buoåi nhoùm “toát ñeïp.” “Haõy tìm thì seõ gaëp,” Chuùa Jesus ñaõ höùa. Vaø bôûi moät buoåi nhoùm toát ñeïp laø ñieàu chuùng ta tìm, thì moät buoåi nhoùm toát ñeïp thöôøng laø ñieàu chuùng ta gaëp. Duø vaäy, coù vaøi ngöôøi tìm kieám ñieàu hôn theá nöõa. Vaøi ngöôøi ñeán vôùi taám loøng say meâ ngaây thô nhö caäu beù. Maáy ngöôøi ñoù böôùc ra nhö caäu beù ñaõ laøm, vôùi caëp maét nôû to vì söï kyø dieäu ñöôïc ñöùng trong söï hieän dieän cuûa chính vò hoa tieâu. HAÕY ÑEÁN CAÀU XIN Cuøng theå aáy ñaõ xaûy ñeán vôùi Chuùa Jesus. Ngaøy Chuùa Jesus ñi vaøo söï thôø phöôïng, thaùnh nhan Ngaøi ñaõ bieán ñoåi. “Baïn noùi vôùi toâi raèng Chuùa Jesus ñi vaøo söï thôø phöôïng?” Vaâng, coù. Kinh Thaùnh coù noùi veà moät ngaøy khi Chuùa Jesus daønh thì giôø ñöùng vôùi caùc baïn höõu trong söï hieän dieän cuûa Thöôïng Ñeá. Chuùng ta haõy ñoïc veà ngaøy Chuùa Jesus ñi vaøo söï thôø phöôïng: Saùu ngaøy sau, Chuùa Jesus ñem chính Peter, James vaø John anh em cuûa James, leân moät nuùi cao. Trong khi hoï ngaém nhìn, thaùnh nhan Chuùa Jesus bieán ñoåi, saéc dieän Ngaøi choùi loøa nhö thaùi döông, vaø trang y Ngaøi traéng tinh nhö aùnh saùng. Sau ñoù Moses vaø Elijah xuaát hieän tröôùc hoï, vaø haàu chuyeän cuøng Chuùa Jesus Peter thöa cuøng Chuùa Jesus: “Thöa Chuùa, Thaät toát cho chuùng ta ôû ñaây. Neáu Chuùa muoán, con seõ döïng ba caùi leàu taïi ñaây – moät caùi cho Chuùa, moät cho Moses, vaø moät cho Elijah.” Ñang khi Peter noùi, moät ñaùm maây saùng choùi bao phuû hoï. Coù tieáng noùi vang ra töø ñaùm maây, raèng: “Ñaây laø con Ta, laø ngöôøi Ta yeâu, vaø Ta raát ñeïp loøng veà ngöôøi. Haõy vaâng theo lôøi ngöôøi!” (Mat. 17:1-5). Nhöõng lôøi cuûa Söù ñoà Matthew tieân lieäu moät quyeát ñònh treân phaàn nhieäm cuûa Chuùa Jesus trong söï hieän dieän Thöôïng Ñeá. Söï kieän ñôn sô laø Ngaøi ñaõ choïn caùc baïn ñoàng haønh vaø ñi leân moät ngoïn nuùi, cho thaáy khoâng phaûi laø moät haønh ñoäng cao höùng baát chôït. Khoâng phaûi trong moät buoåi saùng Ngaøi thöùc daäy, nhìn vaøo taám lòch vaø nhìn chieác ñoàng hoà ñeo tay, roàøi noùi: “Naày, hoâm nay laø ngaøy chuùng ta leân nuùi.” Thöa khoâng, Ngaøi ñaõ chuaån bò nhöõng vieäc phaûi laøm. Muïc vuï cho daân chuùng bò ñình hoaõn, thì muïc vuï cho loøng Ngaøi phaûi thöïc hieän. Bôûi nôi Ngaøi choïn ñeå thôø phöôïng caùch moät khoaûng xa, Ngaøi phaûi choïn moät loái ñi ñuùng vaø ñöùng treân moät con loä ñuùng. Khi Ngaøi leân tôùi ngoïn nuùi thì loøng Ngaøi ñaõ saün saøng. Chuùa Jesus ñaõ chuaån bò ñeå thôø phöôïng. Xin pheùp ñöôïc hoûi Baïn, Baïn coù laøm nhö vaäy chaêng? Baïn coù chuaån bò ñeå thôø phöôïng chaêng? Baïn ñaõ choïn loái ñi naøo daãn Baïn leân nuùi? Caâu hoûi nghe nhö xa laï, song toâi linh caûm raèng nhieàu ngöôøi trong chuùng ta ñôn sô thöùc daäy ñeå trình dieän. Chuùng ta mieãn cöôõng chieáu leä khi phaûi gaëp Chuùa. Theå naøo chuùng ta seõ ueå oaûi - oâ, giaû söû - khi gaëp vò toång thoáng? Giaû nhö, moät saùng Chuùa nhaät, Baïn ñöôïc môøi döï böõa ñieåm taâm trong Toaø Baïch OÁc. Baïn traûi qua ñeâm Thöù Baûy nhö theá naøo? Baïn coù chuaån bò saün saøng? Baïn coù taäp trung caùc tö töôûng? Baïn coù suy tö nhöõng caâu hoûi hay nhöõng thænh nguyeän? Taát nhieân Baïn seõ. Theå naøo chuùng ta caåu thaû trong söï chuaån bò gaëp gôõ Thöôïng Ñeá Thaùnh? Xin cho pheùp toâi khuyeán khích Baïn ñeán vôùi söï thôø phöôïng - söï thôø phöôïng ñöôïc chuaån bò. Haõy caàu nguyeän tröôùc khi Baïn ñeán, haàu cho Baïn saün saøng caàu nguyeän khi Baïn tôùi nôi. Haõy nghæ ngôi tröôùc khi Baïn ñeán, haàu cho Baïn ñöôïc tænh taùo khi Baïn tôùi nôi. Haõy ñoïc lôøi Chuùa tröôùc khi baïn ñeán, haàu cho loøng Baïn ñöôïc meàm maïi khi Baïn thôø phöôïng. Haõy ñeán baèng söï ñoùi khaùt. Haõy ñeán baèng yù chí. Haõy ñeán baèng söï troâng ñôïi ñöôïc nghe tieáng phaùn cuûa Thöôïng Ñeá. Haõy ñeán baèng söï caàu xin, ngay khi Baïn böôùc qua ngöôõng cöûa: “Hoâm nay toâi coù theå gaëp vò hoa tieâu chaêng?” PHAÛN CHIEÁU VINH QUANG NGAØI Khi Baïn laøm ñieàu naày, Baïn seõ khaùm phaù muïc tieâu cuûa söï thôø phöôïng – thay ñoåi dieän maïo cuûa ngöôøi thôø phöôïng. Ñaây ñuùng laø ñieàu ñaõ xaûy ra cho Ñaáng Christ treân nuùi. Thaùnh nhan Chuùa ñöôïc bieán ñoåi: “Thaùnh nhan Ngaøi saùng choùi nhö maët trôøi” (Mat. 17:2). Moái lieân heä giöõa dieän maïo vaø thôø phöôïng khoâng phaûi ngaãu nhieân. Dieän maïo chuùng ta laø thaønh phaàn coâng khai nhaát trong thaân theå chuùng ta, ít ñöôïc che ñaäy hôn baát cöù choã naøo khaùc. Ñoù cuõng laø thaønh phaàn deã nhaän daïng nhaát trong thaân theå. Chuùng ta khoâng traùm ñaày quyeån nieân giaùm hoïc ñöôøng baèng nhöõng taám aûnh baøn chaân, song baèng nhöõng göông maët con ngöôøi. Thöôïng Ñeá mong muoán gìn giöõ dieän maïo chuùng ta, thaønh phaàn ñöôïc phôi baøy vaø ñaùng nhôù cuûa thaân theå, vaø söû duïng chuùng ñeå phaûn aûnh söï toát ñeïp cuûa Ngaøi. Söù ñoà Paul vieát: “Dieän maïo chuùng ta khoâng ñöôïc che ñaäy. Heát thaûy chuùng ta baøy toû vinh quang Chuùa, vaø chuùng ta ñöôïc bieán ñoåi ñeå gioáng Ngaøi. Söï bieán ñoåi trong chuùng ta ñem laïi vinh quang lôùn lao hôn, ñeán töø Chuùa, Ngaøi laø Thaàn Linh” (II Cor. 3:18). Thöôïng Ñeá goïi môøi chuùng ta chieâm ngöôõng thaùnh nhan Ngaøi, haàu cho Ngaøi coù theå bieán ñoåi chuùng ta. Ngaøi söû duïng nhöõng dieän maïo khoâng che ñaäy cuûa chuùng ta ñeå baøy toû vinh quang Ngaøi. Söï bieán hoaù khoâng phaûi deã. Ñieâu khaéc gia treân Nuùi Rushmore ñaõ gaëp moät thaùch thöùc nhöng keùm hôn Thöôïng Ñeá töøng gaëp. Song Chuùa chuùng ta chòu nhaän troïng traùch ñoù. Ngaøi yeâu thích bieán ñoåi dieän maïo con caùi Ngaøi. Baèng nhöõng ngoùn tay Ngaøi, caùc veát nhaên öu phieàn ñöôïc taåy saïch. Caùc boùng toái hoå theïn vaø nghi ngôø trôû thaønh chaân dung aân suûng vaø tin caäy. Ngaøi vuoát ve nhöõng quai haøm nghieán chaët vaø xoa dòu nhöõng vaàøng traùn saâu haèn. Söï sôø chaïm cuûa Ngaøi caát ñi nhöõng chieác tuùi moõi meät döôùi maét, vaø bieán nhöõng gioït leä voâ voïng thaønh nhöõng gioït nöôùc maét bình an. Baèng caùch naøo? Qua söï thôø phöôïng. Chuùng ta coù theå troâng chôø ñieàu gì phöùc taïp hôn, ñoøi hoûi hôn. Coù theå boán möôi ngaøy kieâng aên, hay thuoäc loøng Saùch Leviticus chaêng? Thöa khoâng, Chöông trình cuûa Thöôïng Ñeá ñôn sô hôn. Ngaøi bieán ñoåi dieän maïo chuùng ta qua söï thôø phöôïng. Söï thôø phöôïng ñuùng thaät laø gì? Toâi thích ñònh nghóa cuûa Vua David: “OÂi, haõy cuøng toâi toân ñaïi Chuùa, vaø chuùng ta cuøng nhau toân cao danh Ngaøi” (Thaùnh Thi 34:3). Thôø phöôïng laø haønh ñoäng toân ñaïi Thöôïng Ñeá. Môû roäng khaûi töôïng cuûa chuùng ta veà Ngaøi. Böôùc vaøo phoøng laùi ñeå thaáy nôi naøo Ngaøi ngoài vaø quan saùt caùch Ngaøi laøm vieäc. Taát nhieân, taàm voùc Ngaøi khoâng thay ñoåi, song caûm quan chuùng ta thay ñoåi. Khi chuùng ta ñeán gaàn hôn, troâng Ngaøi nhö lôùn hôn. Phaûi chaêng ñoù laø ñieàu chuùng ta caàn? Moät caùi nhìn lôùn veà Thöôïng Ñeá? Chuùng ta coù nhöõng vaán ñeà lôùn, nhöõng lo aâu lôùn, nhöõng caâu hoûi lôùn chaêng? Taát nhieân chuùng ta coù. Vì vaäy, chuùng ta caàn moät caùi nhìn lôùn veà Thöôïng Ñeá. Söï thôø phöôïng cung hieán cho chuùng ta ñieàu ñoù. Laøm sao chuùng ta coù theå haùt “Thaùnh thay, Thaùnh thay, Thaùnh thay” maø khaûi töôïng chuùng ta khoâng ñöôïc môû roäng? Coøn nhöõng chöõ “Ñeïp Thay Linh Hoàn Toâi” thì sao? Toäi loãi toâi – OÂi, nieàm vui trong yù töôûng vinh quang, Toäi loãi toâi – khoâng töøng phaàn, song troïn veïn, Ñöôïc ñoùng treân thaäp gía, vaø toâi khoâng mang noù nöõa, Ngôïi toân Chuùa, Ngôïi toân Chuùa, hôõi linh hoàn toâi! Theå naøo chuùng ta haùt nhöõng lôøi naày, maø dieän maïo chuùng ta khoâng choùi saùng? Moät göông maët raïng ngôøi, röïc rôõ, laø daáu chöùng cuûa moät ngöôøi ñöôïc ñöùng trong thaùnh nhan Thöôïng Ñeá. Sau khi haàu chuyeän cuøng Thöôïng Ñeá, Moses phaûi che maët mình baèng moät taám khaên the (Du Xuaát 34:33-35). Sau khi nhìn leân trôøi, göông maët Stephen raïng ngôøi nhö maët thieân söù (Söù ñoà 6:15; 7:55-56). Thöôïng Ñeá chuyeân taâm bieán ñoåi boä maët theá gian. Haõy ñeå toâi noùi thaät roõ. Söï bieán ñoåi laø coâng vieäc Ngaøi, khoâng phaûi chuùng ta. Muïc ñích chuùng ta khoâng phaûi laøm cho göông maët chuùng ta raïng ngôøi. Chuùa Jesus cuõng khoâng laøm theá. Matthew noùi: “Thaùnh nhan Chuùa Jesus ñöôïc bieán ñoåi,” khoâng phaûi “Chuùa Jesus bieán ñoåi thaùnh nhan Ngaøi.” Moses cuõng khoâng bieát maët mình chieáu saùng” (Du Xuaát 34:29). Muïc ñích chuùng ta khoâng phaûi laø taïc töôïng gæa taïo, vôùi nhöõng ñöôøng neùt khoâ khan. Muïc ñích chuùng ta laø ñôn sô ñöùng tröôùc Thöôïng Ñeá vôùi moät taám loøng chuaån bò vaø mong muoán, roài ñeå Thöôïng Ñeá laøm coâng vieäc Ngaøi. Vaø Ngaøi laøm. Ngaøi lau saïch nhöõng gioït nöôùc maét. Ngaøi veùt saïch nhöõng gioït moà hoâi. Ngaøi xoa dòu vaàng traùn nhaên nheo cuûa chuùng ta. Ngaøi vuoát ve ñoâi maù chuùng ta. Ngaøi bieán ñoåi dieän maïo chuùng ta trong khi chuùng ta thôø phöôïng. Nhöng, hôn theá nöõa. Chaúng nhöõng Thöôïng Ñeá bieán ñoåi dieän maïo nhöõng ngöôøi thôø phöôïng, Ngaøi cuõng bieán ñoåi dieän maïo nhöõng ngöôøi ngaém nhìn chuùng ta thôø phöôïng. SÖÏ THÔØ PHÖÔÏNG TRUYEÀN GIAÙO Haõy nhôù caäu beù trai ñi vaøo phoøng laùi ñeå gaëp vò hoa tieâu. Söï ham thích cuûa caäu khích ñoäng toâi. Toâi cuõng muoán gaëp vò hoa tieâu. (Vaø toâi cuõng seõ khoâng töø choái ñoâi caùnh nhöïa). Cuõng ñoäng löïc ñoù xaûy ra khi chuùng ta ñeán thôø phöôïng vôùi taám loøng thôø phöôïng. Söù ñoà Paul baûo Hoäi thaùnh Corinthian phaûi thôø phöôïng baèng moät phöông caùch trong saùng ñeán ñoä neáu coù keû voâ tín böôùc vaøo… “hoï seõ thaáy nhöõng bí aån trong loøng mình ñöôïc phaùt giaùc; vaø… seõ ngaõ xaáp maët xuoáng maø thôø laïy Thöôïng Ñeá, vaø tuyeân boá raèng quûa thaät Ngaøi ôû giöõa anh em” (I Cor. 14:24-25). Vua David ca ngôïi naêng löïc truyeàn giaùo trong söï thôø phöôïng chaân thaønh: “Ngaøi ñaët moät baøi ca môùi trong mieäng ta, moät baøi haùt toân vinh Thöôïng Ñeá chuùng ta. Nhieàu ngöôøi seõ thaáy ñieàu naày vaø thôø phöôïng Ngaøi. Roài hoï seõ tin töôûng Chuùa” (Thaùnh thi 40:3). Söï thôø phöôïng baèng taám loøng cuûa Baïn laø lôøi goïi môøi truyeàn giaùo. Haõy ñeå nhöõng ngöôøi voâ tín nghe ñöôïc söï ñam meâ trong tieáng noùi hoaëc thaâùy ñöôïc söï chaân thaønh treân maët Baïn; thì hoï coù theå ñöôïc thay ñoåi. Peter ñaõ laøm theá. Khi OÂng thaáy söï thôø phöôïng cuûa Chuùa Jesus, OÂng noùi: “Thöa Chuùa, Thaät toát cho chuùng ta ôû ñaây. Neáu Ngaøi muoán, con seõ döïng ba caùi leàu taïi ñaây – moät caùi cho Ngaøi, moät cho Moses, vaø moät cho Elijah”. (Mat. 17:4). Söù ñoà Mark cho raèng Peter noùi ñieàu naày vì kính sôï (Mark 9:6). Söù ñoà Luke cho raèng Peter noùi ñieàu naày vì thieáu hieåu bieát (Luke 9:33). Song, duø baát cöù lyù do naøo, ít nhaát Peter ñaõ noùi leân. OÂng muoán laøm moät vieäc gì cho Thöôïng Ñeá. OÂng khoâng hieåu raèng Ngaøi muoán nhöõng taám loøng, khoâng phaûi nhöõng leàu traïi, song ít ra OÂng ñöôïc caûm ñoäng ñeå daâng leân moät ñieàu gì. Taïi sao? Bôûi OÂng thaáy dieän maïo hoùa hình cuûa Ñaáng Christ. Ñieàu naày cuõng xaûy ra trong caùc hoäi thaùnh ngaøy nay. Khi ngöôøi ñôøi thaáy chuùng ta taän loøng toân vinh Thöôïng Ñeá – khi hoï nghe chuùng ta thôø phöôïng – thì hoï xuùc ñoäng. Hoï muoán gaëp vò hoa tieâu! Caùc tia löûa töø ngoïn löûa cuûa chuùng ta seõ baét chaùy nhöõng taám loøng khoâ haïn. Toâi ñaõ kinh nghieäm moät ñieàu töông töï taïi Brazil. Nhaø chuùng toâi chæ vaøi khu phoâù caùch saân tuùc caàu lôùn nhaát theá giôùi. Ít nhaát moät laàn moãi tuaàn, vaän ñoäng tröôøng Maracana vang doäi nhöõng tieáng gaøo theùt cuûa caùc nhoùm haâm moä tuùc caàu. Luùc ñaàu, toâi khoâng ñöôïc lieät keâ trong soá ngöôøi ñoù. Nhöng söï haøo höùng deã truyeàn nhieãm. Toâi muoán xem ñieàu gì ñaõ khieán nhöõng ngöôøi ñoù cuoàng nhieät nhö vaäy? Tôùi luùc toâi rôøi Rio, toâi ñaõ laø ngöôøi caàu thuû taân toøng vaø coù theå gaøo theùt nhö hoï. Nhöõng ngöôøi ñi tìm coù theå khoâng hieåu taát caû nhöõng gì xaûy ra trong moät ngoâi nhaø thôø phöôïng. ïCoù theå hoï khoâng hieåu yù nghóa cuûa moät baøi haùt hay söï quan troïng cuûa tieäc thaùnh, song hoï bieát nieàm vui khi hoï thaáy ñieàu ñoù. Vaø khi hoï thaáy dieän maïo cuûa Baïn ñöôïc bieán ñoåi, hoï coù theå muoán gaëp thaùnh nhan Thöôïng Ñeá. Vaäy, söï kieän ngöôïc laïi chaúng ñuùng nhö theá sao? Vieäc gì xaûy ra khi moät ngöôøi ñi tìm nhìn thaáy neùt nhaøm chaùn treân maët Baïn? Nhöõng ngöôøi khaùc ñang thôø phöôøng, coøn Baïn laïi caøu nhaøu? Nhöõng ngöôøi khaùc ôû trong thieân nhan, coøn Baïn vaãn ôû rieâng trong theá giôùi nhoû beù cuûa Baïn. Nhöõng ngöôøi khaùc ñang tìm thaùnh nhan Thöôïng Ñeá, trong khi Baïn ñang tìm khuoân maët ñoàng hoà ñeo tay cuûa Baïn? Toâi muoán taâm tình caù nhaân, coù theå cho toâi moät böôùc gaàn hôn chaêng? Thöa caùc baäc phuï maãu, con caùi quùy vò hoïc ñöôïc gì töø söï thôø phöôïng cuûa quùy vò? Chuùng coù thaáy söï phaán khôûi nhö khi quùi vò xem moät traän ñaáu lam caàu? Chuùng coù thaáy quùi vò chuaån bò söï thôø phöôïng nhö khi quùi vò söûa soaïn cho chuyeán ñi nghó heø? Chuùng coù thaáy quùi vò ñoùi khaùt khi ñeán, tìm kieám thaùnh nhan Thieân Phuï? Hoaëc chuùng coù thaáy quùi vò vui loøng töø boû phöông caùch nhö khi quùi vò ñeán. Chuùng ñang nhìn xem. Haõy tin toâi. Chuùng ñang nhìn xem. Baïn coù ñeán hoäi thaùnh vôùi moät taám loøng ñoùi khaùt thôø phöôïng? Ñaáng Cöùu Chuoäc chuùng ta ñaõ laøm. Xin ñöôïc khuyeán khích Baïn neân ñôn sô gioáng nhö Chuùa Jesus. Haõy chuaån bò loøng Baïn ñeå thôø phöôïng. Haõy ñeå Thöôïng Ñeá bieán ñoåi dieän maïo Baïn qua söï thôø phöôïng. Haõy bieåu döông quyeàn löïc cuûa söï thôø phöôïng. Treân taát caû, haõy tìm dieän maïo cuûa vò hoa tieâu. Caäu beù trai ñaõ laøm. Bôûi caïâu ñaõ tìm vò hoa tieâu, neân caäu trôû ra vôùi moät göông maët bieán ñoåi vaø moät boä caùnh. Söï vieäc naày cuõng coù theå xaûy ñeán cho Baïn. {

} A Worship-Hungry Heart People on a plane and people on a pew have a lot in common. All are on a journey. Most are well-behaved and presentable. Some doze, and others gaze out the window. Most, if not all, are satisfied with a predictable experience. For many, the mark of a good flight and the mark of a good worship assembly are the same. “Nice,” we like to say. “It was a nice flight / It was a nice worship service.” We exit the same way we enter, and we’re happy to return next time. A few, however, are not content with nice. They long for somehing more. The boy who just passed me did. I heard him before I saw him. I was already in my seat when he asked, “Will they really let me meet the pilot?” He was either lucky or shrewd because he made the request just as he entered the plane. The question floated into the cockpit, causing the pilot to lean out. “Someone looking for me?” he asked. The boy’s hand shot up like he was answering his second-grade teacher’s question. “I am!” “Well, come on in.” With a nod from his mom, the youngster entered the cockpit’s world of controls and gauges and emerged minutes later with eyes wide. “Wow!” he exclaimed. “I’m so glad to be on this plane!” No one else’s face showed such wonder. I should know. I paid attention. The boy’s interest piqued mine, so I studied the faces of the other passengers but found no such enthusiasm. I mostly saw contentment: travelers content to be on the plane, content to be closer to their destination, content to be out of the airport, content to sit and stare and say little. There were a few exceptions. The five or so mid-age women wearing straw hats and carrying beachbags weren’t content; they were exuberant. They giggled all the way down the aisle. My bet is they were moms-set-free-from-kitchens-and-kids. The fellow in the blue suit across the aisle wasn’t content; he was cranky. He opened his laptop and scowled at its screen the entire trip. Most of us, however, were happier than he and more contained than the ladies. Most of us were content. Content with a predictable, uneventful flight. Content with a “nice” flight. And since that is what we sought, that is what we got. The boy, on the other hand, wanted more. He wanted to see the pilot. If asked to describe the flight, he wouldn’t say “nice.” He’d likely produce the plastic wings the pilot gave him and say, “I saw the man up front.” Do you see why I say that people on a plane and people on a pew have a lot in common? Enter a church sanctuary and look at the faces. A few are giggly, a couple are cranky, but by and large we are content. Content to be there. Content to sit and look straight ahead and leave when the service is over. Content to enjoy an assembly with no surprises or turbulence. Content with a “nice” service. “Seek and you will find,” Jesus promised. And since a nice service is what we seek, a nice service is usually what we find. A few, however, seek more. A few come with the childike enthusiasm of the boy. And those few leave as he did, wide-eyed with the wonder of having stood in the presence of the pilot himself. COME ASKING The same thing happened to Jesus. The day Jesus went to worship, his very face was changed. “You’re telling me that Jesus went to worship?” I am. The bible speaks of a day when Jesus took time to stand with friends in the presence of God. Let’s read about the day Jesus went to worship: Six days later, Jesus took Peter, James, and John, the brother of James, up on a high mountain by themselves. While they watched, Jesus’ appearance was changed; his face became bright like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. Then Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, “Lord it is good that we are here. If you want, I will put up three tents here – one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While Peter was talking, a bright cloud covered them. A voice came from the cloud and said, “This is my Son, whom I love, and I am very pleased with him. Listen to him! (Matt. 17: 1-5) The words of Matthew presuppose a decision on the part of Jesus to stand in the presence of God. The simple fact that he chose his companions and went up on a mountain suggests this was no spur-of-the-moment action. He didn’t awaken one morning, look at the calendar and then at his watch, and said, “Oops, today is the day we go to the mountain.” No, he had preparations to make. Ministry to the people was suspended, so ministry to his heart couldcould occur. Since his chosen place of worship was some distance away, he had to select the right path, and stay on the right road. By the time he was on the mountain, his heart was ready. Jesus prepared for worship. Let me ask you, do you do the same? Do you prepare for worship? What paths do you take to lead you up the mountain? The question may seem foreign, but my hunch is, many of us simply wake up and show up. We’re sadly casual when it comes to meeting God. Would we be so lackadaisical with, oh, let’s say, the president? Suppose you were granted a Sunday morning breakfast at the White House? How would you spend Saturday night? Would you get ready? Would you collect your thoughts? Would you think about your questions and requests? Of course you would. Should we prepare any less for an encounter with the Holy God? Let me urge you to come to worship prepared to worship. Pray before you come so you will be ready to pray when you arrive. Sleep before you come so you’ll stay alert when you arrive. Read the Word before you come so your heart will be soft when you worship. Come hungry. Come willing. Come expecting God to speak. Come asking, even as you walk through the door, “Can I see the pilot today?” REFLECTING HIS GLORY As you do, you’ll discover the purpose of worship - to change the face of the worshiper. This is exactly what happened to Christ on the mountain. Jesus’ appearance was changed: “His face became bright like the sun” (Matt. 17:2). The connection between the face and worship is more than coincidental. Our face is the most public part of our bodies, covered less than any other area. It is also the most recognizable part of our bodies. We don’t fill a school annual with photos of people’s feet but rather with photos of faces. God desires to take our faces, this exposed and memorable part of our bodies, and use them to reflect his goodness. Paul writes: “Our faces, then, are not covered. We all show the Lord’s glory, and we are being changed to be like him. This change in us brings ever greater glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” (2 Cor. 3:18). God invites us to see his face so he can change ours. He uses our uncovered faces to display his glory. The transformation isn’t easy. The sculptor of Mount Ruhmore faced a lesser challenge than does God. But our Lord is up to the task. He loves to change the faces of his children. By his fingers, wrinkles of worry are rubbed away. Shadows of shame and doubt become portraits of grace and trust. He relaxes clenched jaws and smoothes furrowed brows. His touch can remove the bags of exhaustion from beneath the eyes and turn tears of despair into tears of peace. How? Through worship. We’d expect something more complicated, more demanding. A forty-day fast or the memorization of Leviticus perhaps. No, God’s plan is simplier. He changes our faces through worship. Exactly what is worship? I like David’s definition. “Oh magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together” (Ps. 34:3 NASB). Worship is the act of magnifying God. Enlarging our vision of him. Stepping into the cockpit to see where he sits and observe how he works. Of course, his size doesn’t change, but our perception of him does. As we draw nearer, he seems larger. Isn’t that what we need? A big view of God? Don’t we have big problems, big worries, big questions? Of course we do. Hence we need a big view of God. Worship offers that. How can we sing, “Holy, Holy, Holy” and not have our vision expanded? Or what about the lines from “It Is Well with My Soul”? My sin – O the bliss of this glorious thought, My sin – not in part but the whole,and not have our Is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more, Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!” Can we sing those words and not have our countenance illuminated? A vibrant, shining face is the mark of one who has stood in God’s presence. After speaking to God, Moses had to cover his face with a veil (Exod. 34: 33~35). After seeing heaven, Stephen’s face glowed like that of an angel (Acts 6:15; 7:55-56). God is in the business of changing the face of the world. Let me be very clear. This change is his job, not ours. Our goal is not to make our faces radiant. Not even Jesus did that. Matthew says, “Jesus’ appearance was changed” not “Jesus changed his appearance.” Moses didn’t even know his face was shining (Exod. 34:29). Our goal is not to conjure up some fake, frozen expression. Our goal is simply to stand before God with a prepared and willing heart and then let God do his work. And he does. He wipes away the tears. He mops away the perspiration. He softens our furrowed brows. He touches our cheeks. He changes our faces as we worship. But there’s more. Not only does God change the face of those who worship, he changes those who watch us worship. EVANGELISTIC WORSHIP Remember the boy who went to see the pilot? His passion stirred me. I wanted to see the pilot, too. (And I wouldn’t have refused the plastic wings.) The same dynamic occurs when we come to worship with a heart of worship. Paul told the Corinthian church to worship in such a clear way that if an unbeliever entered, “he would find… the secrets of his heart revealed; and . . . would fall down on his face and worship God, declaring that God is indeed among you” (1 Cor. 14:24-25 TJB). David cites the evangelistic power of honest worship: “He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many people will see this and worship him. Then they will trust the Lord” (Ps. 40:3). Your heartfelt worship is a missionary appeal. Let unbelievers hear the passion of your voice or see the sincerity in your face, and they may be changed. Peter was. When Peter saw the worship of Jesus, he said, “Lord, it is good that we arc here. If you want, I will put up three tents here - one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah” (Matt. 17:4). Mark says Peter spoke out of fear (Mark 9:6). Luke says Peter spoke out of ignorance (Luke 9:33). But whatever the reason, at least Peter spoke. He wanted to do something for God. He didn’t understand that God wants hearts and not tents, but at least he was moved to give something. Why? Because he saw the transfigured face of Christ. The same happens in churches today. When people see us giving heartfelt praise to God - when they hear our worship - they are intrigued. They want to see the pilot! Sparks from our fire tend to ignite dry hearts. I experienced something similar in Brazil. Our house was only blocks away from the largest soccer stadium in the world. At least once a week Maracana stadium would be packed with screaming soccer fans. Initially I was not numbered among them, but their enthusiasm was contagious. I wanted to see what they were so excited about. By the time I left Rio, I was a soccer convert and could shout with the rest of them. Seekers may not understand all that happens in a house of worship. They may not understand the meaning of a song or the significance of the communion, but they know joy when they see it. And when they see your face changed, they may want to see God’s face. By the way, wouldn’t the opposite be equally true? What happens when a seeker sees boredom on your face? Others are worshipping and you are scowling? Others are in His presence, but you are in your own little world? Others are seeking God’s face while you are seeking the face of your wristwatch? As long as I’m getting personal, may I come a step closer? Parents, what are your children learning from your worship? Do they see the same excitement as when you go to a basket ball game? Do they see you prepare for worship as you do for a vacation? Do they see you hungry to arrive, seeking the face of the Father? Or do they see you content to leave the way you came? They are watching. Believe me. They are watching. Do you come to church with a worship hungry heart? Our Savior did. May I urge you to be just like Jesus? Prepare your heart for worship. Let God change your face through worship. Demonstrate the power of worship. Above all, seek the face of the pilot. The boy did. Because he sought the pilot, he left with a changed face and a set of wings. The same can happen to you. (Excerpt from Just Like Jesus by Max Lucado) {

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