Amin

Amen, the biblical yes, is used, always, in relation to God, the God who established and makes persons firm and secure in eternal purpose and redemptive love. In response to that affirmation we say “Amen” – “Yes.” It is God’s most characteristic word; it is humankind’s most appropriate response. Scriptural citations show that the affirmation is both comprehensive and detailed.

Persons say “Amen” when they want to confirm the acceptance of a task assigned to them by God. When David directed his court prophet and priest to set apart Solomon to the kingship and gave directions on how to do it, one of the men shouted “Amen” (1 Kings 1: 36); that is, “we understand our instructions; we believe that this is the will of God; we will do it!”

Amen is used as a response of the individual to something inward and private with God – a personal yes to God. When Jeremiah was asked by God to be the prophet of reform in the years of Josiah, he gave a single word of response, “Amen” (Jeremiah 11: 5); “Yes, Lord, I will be the person you want me to be in these difficult days.” [Eugene H. Peterson, Five smooth stones for pastoral work (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1992), pp. 160-161.]

Sangat disayangkan, amin-aminnya kita seringkali hanya lip service yang disampaikan dalam doa-doa demi untuk enak didengar, supaya orang lain yang mendengar tahu bahwa I am in, atau I agree with you. Padahal amin seperti itu adalah kesia-siaan belaka. Karena ia digunakan in relation to human, instead of God. Amin yang diucapkan bagi, atau sebagai tanggapan pada, manusia, tak bisa dipegang, karena manusia mudah goyah, berubah-ubah sikapnya. Akan tetapi amin yang diutarakan sebagai tanggapan terhadap amin yang berasal dari janji Allah akan meneguhkan hati kita melalui hari-hari tersulit hingga kita mencapai garis akhir. Pada siapa amin anda ditujukan?