The Human Touch
Pastor Rod Thompson
Midland SDA Church
September 15, 2018
I want to talk to you today about your personal space. Social scientists have researched this topic and have determined, at least for Americans that your personal space is about two feet around you. And apparently many Americans don’t like people getting into their personal space. This of course is a psychological zone or space, something that can’t be seen. But when someone gets too close or enters into our personal space we become uncomfortable.
Back in 1966 and anthropologist and cross cultural communication researcher by the name of Edward Hall determined that there are four psychological circles of personal space around each one of us. Apparently the ring about 12 to 24 feet out from this is the space that we typically allow others that we don’t know into. Then there is the social ring which is from about 4 to 12 feet. This is where people that we know are allowed to enter. Then there is the personal ring which is from 2 to 4 feet from you and only those who are closest to you can come into that space. And then there is the intimacy ring which is less than 2 feet from you and we don’t like people invading this space unless of course it is your husband or wife.
Now there are some cultures in which the personal space is defined a little differently and many live within close proximity to each other but even in those cultures there are times when people just want to be alone.
But the theory of personal space wasn’t discovered by Edward Hall. In fact when he was doing his research he consulted with Heini Hediger , a Swiss zoologist who had studied animals for years and had determined that these invisible concentric circles exist around animals. He observed that some animals are very protective, and if encroached upon, the claws and teeth come out.
You may know someone who behaves that way too!
This idea of personal space is not something new. It existed even in the days when Jesus lived on this earth.
Have you noticed in your reading of the gospels that Jesus often came within the personal space of people who were in need and He made no apologies for it?
Read Matthew 8: 1-3
Jesus often reached out and touched those around Him. Even those who had diseases that rendered them untouchable by society.
These people were poor and pitiable. They needed to feel the touch of someone who cared. These people were social outcasts who had to live outside the village boundaries, often in quarantine or isolation, hidden away from family and friends. Unless they were healed they would never again experience the touch of a “clean” human being. They would often die alone.
Can you imagine what that would be like?
Many studies have been conducted regarding the value and benefits of physical touch and its application in science and medicine. The touch research institute at the University of Miami has carried out over 100 studies concerning the power of the human touch, and have found some very significant evidence that it helps, including,
Faster growth in premature babies, reduced pain, decreased autoimmune disease symptoms, lowered glucose levels in children with diabetes, and improved immune symptoms with people with cancer.
So please don’t avoid those opportunities to hug your pastor.
Touch therapy is what it’s called – human touch. A sympathetic touch, a hug, that “knowing” pat on the shoulder, all can make a world of difference, especially in the life of someone who is suffering and in need of comfort.
Now, of course, when it comes to Jesus’ interactions with people there was something beyond just His physical touch. There was redemptive element, a supernatural, a miraculous cleansing of disease and pain by the healing power of God.
The Holy Spirit was working through Jesus as He healed the sick. But the human factor of Jesus’ touch should not be discounted. These people, whether they were sick or not, needed the physical touch of someone who cared.
Now place this within the context of celebrating the communion service. As you know, a part of the SDA communion service is what we call the ordinance of humility, or the foot washing service. It is also an age old practice – one that has been in the Christian church for generations.
Unfortunately, this important service has somehow fallen by the wayside among many faith communions and churches. Some think it is only the symbolism of service that really matters, so it is not necessary to perform the actual act of washing the feet.
But think about how much is missed by those who don’t kneel down, when we don’t kneel down and touch the naked feet of another human being – especially when that human being maybe somewhat of a stranger to you. There is a special spiritual connection and bond that is formed there at that moment.
This is what Jesus did for His disciples.
Read John 13: 3-5
I want you to notice that this was not something that Rabbis did for their students. In fact it was an unthinkable act as far as the students were concerned. One would never allow his teacher to do this. But Jesus took on the role of a servant – a servant leader.
He girded himself with a towel and stooped down to wash the feet of His students. He touched them in a way they had never been touched before.
No wonder Peter recoiled when it was his turn.
Read John 13: 6-9
There was a life changing touch in that room that night, at least for one disciple, and for the others I imagine as well. Some may have viewed it as an encroachment of personal space in that upper room that night. Or perhaps we could see it as a touch of love and compassion, and service is how they understood it.
They didn’t completely understand what they had just experienced.
Read John 13: 12-15
The implication here is that this should be done, even for perfect strangers, and all those who are seeking salvation and cleansing.
What kind of leader, what kind of king does this, the one who understands grace, the one who dispenses mercy, the one who knows that His subjects can be cleansed in no other way than by His healing touch, by coming close and laying hands on them.
Jesus sets this as an example to us. And so in our communion service we follow His example. We wash each other’s feet. But too often we do it in a kind of unhealthy way. Too often we are worried about encroaching into someone’s personal space.
So let’s make sure that we do it the right way
Don’t let the lesson of the upper room get lost in formality. Let’s think about what we are doing, and let’s pray about it. And then participate in a spirit of service, in the same way that Jesus did when he knelt at the feet of His disciples.
Something else happened when Jesus touched those men and washed their feet. It was a symbol of the cleansing they needed even though they had been baptized already. It was revealed by Jesus in His encounter with Peter.
Read John 13: 9-10
In other words, you have been baptized, but you picked up a little dirt along the way since your baptism. That has to be taken care of, that has t be washed away. You don’t have to go back down into the watery grave, you don’t have to go through that ceremony again, as wonderful and beautiful as it is.
But now something has to be cleansed here and now Peter, I’m here to do that – And so Jesus says to Him, “Unless I wash you, you can have no part of me.”
That is the invitation extended to us today. Do we want the cleansing, healing touch of Jesus? Have you picked up a little dirt since the last time you participated in in the foot washing service? Perhaps you need this cleansing, this reminder of what your baptism means. If you are committed disciple of Jesus Christ, do you want to have a part with Jesus today?
It is important to note that the communion service involves such personal, tangible experiences. Not only do we wash one another’s feet in a spiritual act; we ingest emblems of His broken body and shed blood. We take them into ourselves, thereby saying that we want Christ in Us. For He is the only source of our salvation! Powerful, simple lessons that teach what nothing else can teach. It is a life changing experience.