Matthew 25:40
While doing some training this week, I met with a deputy who has worked there at the county jail since I had. As we were talking, our discussion inevitably turned to one of today’s issues and concerns, violence and mental health. The deputy shared a story from his time as a firefighter, before joining the sheriff’s office. The fire department had been called out to respond to an older man who fallen and split his head open. When they arrived, they found a mobile home that was not in good shape. Upon entering the home, they observed that the floor had rotted away to the point that the cabinets had fallen through, and there was a “walkway” made up of a couple pieces of 2×4. Much of the home was covered with trash that was piled up, almost to the ceiling. And their patient was refusing treatment, in spite of his head being split open. What they discovered was that this man lived alone, he didn’t go anywhere, and no one came really came by. He spent his time drinking, and basically just gave up hope.
Shortly after this call, my friend and another firefighter began to regularly visit this older man. As they did, they noticed that things slowly began to change. The man started to drink less. He began to slowly clean up the trash inside, and get rid of it. He also began to fashion new cabinets, and do what repairs he could to the floor. Basically, He needed human contact. He needed to know that he matters.
“And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’ (Matthew 25:40 NLT)
Through the use of technology, we are more connected today than at any time in human history. And yet, in many ways, we are much more alone, and disconnected from each other than at any time in human history. I consider myself blessed to have friends, across the country, who I can call upon to talk to, and even pray with me. And they know that they can reach out to me at any time, to talk or pray. But because of the distance between us there is one thing missing; that is the ability to actually touch each other, through a hug, or a handshake. So we try to improvise with “virtual hugs.”
And, they do help to convey that someone cares. They do bring some comfort. But, sometimes, we just need to feel that embrace. We need to feel that hand upon our shoulder, and hear someone remind us that we are not alone. Of course, I am also fortunate that I have friends right here who I can call upon to talk to, pray with, and fulfill that need for a hug, or a handshake, even just a quick pat on the shoulder to remind me that I am not alone. And they know, at least I hope they do, that they can reach out to me.
Studies have shown us that people need touch. One early, controversial, study involved the use of rhesus monkeys. The baby monkeys were separated from the mother at birth, and given the option of two inanimate surrogates. One was covered in cloth, and the other was simply wire and wood. Even when the only one with a bottle of milk was the one of wire and wood, the baby monkeys preferred the embrace of the cloth surrogate. Touch is as necessary for emotional and physical well being as are food and water.
Imagine going through each day with limited human contact. That is the reality for many in our society today. Some who may deal with this include inmates, especially those who are held in solitary confinement, and the only human contact they have is when the officer passes their food tray, or when they are handcuffed to be moved; truck drivers who are often out on the road for weeks, or months at a time, separated from their family so that we have food, gas, cars, and other material things; the elderly, and the sick, who may be unable to get out; and I would even include the homeless, who we often don’t even look at as we drive down the road. I would venture to say that there are also others, who may nbot fit in any of these categories, but who for whatever reasons, feel alone, and forgotten.
Bottom Line: How can I touch others?
The answer I am going to give is found in Matthew 25:35-40.
1) Food and water (verse 35)
This doesn’t have to be anything elaborate, or expensive. It could be as simple as a sandwich, or a bottle of water.
2) Hospitality / Fellowship (verse 35)
This doesn’t always mean bringing a stranger into your home, though it might. That word that we translate as stranger, can also be translated as immigrant, or traveler. How are we at welcoming the stranger, or the immigrant into our church? Maybe instead of simply handing someone a sandwich, you could invite them in and share a meal with them. Talk with them.
3) Clothing (verse 36)
Look, it is unlikely that you will encounter someone running down the street naked. But, do you have any clothes that you could donate to a homeless shelter, or bring some here for our give and take table? But don’t just stop at donating. Offer to take someone who needs clothes to get them. If you can, volunteer at a place that helps to provide clothes
4) Visit (verse 36)
Find someone to spend a little bit of time with. Maybe it will be someone in a nursing home. It might be a person in jail, or prison. Maybe you know someone who is homebound.
Bottom Line: Who can you touch today?
Of course, don’t forget a hug, or a handshake; or at least a pat on the shoulder, just to remind them that they are not alone. Something that all of these ideas have in common is that they also require your time. I didn’t dwell on that this morning. But time is another resource that God has given us, that we are supposed to be stewards of. What better way to spend some of that than by actually showing Jesus’ love to others.