Imagine a room, large enough to hold several hundred people. Maybe it’s your church’s worship center. Maybe it’s a theater, or hotel ballroom. Doesn’t matter.
Imagine a day or an occasion in which 365 people are in that room. Maybe it’s Sunday morning at church, or Saturday night at a wedding. Maybe it’s a city-wide celebration of some sore. Doesn’t matter.
In the room, these 365 people are prepared to go on with pretty much business as planned… when Jesus Christ walks into the room.
It’s a special bodily visitation.
Clear.
Verifiable.
And it just got interesting.
Imagine that you are one of those 365 people. How would you respond if it happened today?
How would those around you respond if Jesus were actually in the room?
Probably differently than you.
Some would stand.
Others prostrate.
Others raise hands.
Some sing.
Some declare His praise with words.
Some bring their needs.
Some ask tough questions.
Some are startlingly silent.
Some would confess sin.
Some would offer him money or food.
One of my favorite people in the world would be on his cell phone: “Dude, you have got to get over here!”
You get the idea.
All of these and more are our ovation. And guess what? All of these and more are in the Bible.
Turn the Clock
Move forward a day. What if the visitation took place on a Tuesday morning? Or a Thursday night? Or tomorrow?
Same you. Same Jesus. Maybe the same location, maybe somewhere else.
Know what? I’ll bet your ovation would be different. If you shouted yesterday, you may sing today. Or say nothing, and just listen. Or look for a way to serve Him practically.
If you were silent yesterday, you may begin, like Zacchaeus, to reevaluate your priorities. You may find someone else in need. Or you may want to talk to the Lord about your troubles.
My friend? He’d be texting: “Dude, you have got to get over here!”
All of these and more are our ovation.
(Pardon the interruption, but how many of these actually take place in your house of worship? Probably more than you may imagine, but certainly less than is possible. Two reasons for that. First, religion tends to narrow the possibilities, not expand them. Second, worship was never intended to be limited to an event.)
Over the next few months, my desire is to walk with you through some of the possibilities. And there are many possibilities.
Our Rendering
One of my favorite words in the English Bible is, “render.” It has many specific definitions, but all of them carry the idea that I am holding something that you are worthy of, or that I owe you, so I render it to you with clarity and purpose.
What shall I render to the Lord
For all His benefits toward me?
I shall lift up the cup of salvation
And call upon the name of the Lord.
I shall pay my vows to the Lord,
Oh may it be in the presence of all His people. (Psalms 116:12-14)
That’s ovation language. So what’s your rendering – your ovation – today?
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