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The Touch That Gives Life
a sermon based on Matthew 17:1-9
by Rev. Rick Thompson

     Early in the 20^th century, it was not unusual for children in this country to be left without parents.  They were orphans, and often these children were placed in large, residential facilities called “orphanages”.

     A doctor in one orphanage observed that some infants and children flourished, while others struggled to gain weight and develop.  He watched closely to see what the difference was.  And do you know what he concluded, and later verified scientifically?  That the children who flourished were touched and held, while those who failed to thrive were often ignored and left alone, even when crying for attention.

     For those children, human touch, human care, enabled them to thrive.  Touch gave them life!

     When a person is hurting, physically or emotionally, often a caring person will offer a hug, or take hold of a hand.  It may not make the pain go away.  But it does give comfort and courage and peace.  That hurting person has received the touch that gives life.

     Touch, gentle touch, loving touch, communicates much to another: “You are loved.  You are valuable.  I care about you.  You are not alone.” 

     Touch kind of touch gives life!

     We see that, too, in this gospel story today—this mind-boggling story about Jesus, his appearance changed so that the three disciples with him receive a glimpse of their Master’s heavenly glory.  We call this event the “transfiguration” of Jesus.

     It begins with a note that it took place “six days later”.  Six days after what? 

     Well, six days earlier Jesus had been alone with his disciples, striving to teach them the ways of God and the ways of his followers.  He asked them, “Who do you say that I am?”  Peter, prompted by the Holy Spirit, blurted out, “You are the Messiah!  You are the Son of the living God!”  After affirming Peter’s response, Jesus went on to teach the disciples that, as Messiah, his destiny was to enter Jerusalem, where he would be betrayed, arrested, tried, crucified, and raised from the dead.  This time Peter protested strongly; he got hung on that “suffering” part, and didn’t even hear the word about resurrection.  And no Messiah of Peter’s was going to have to suffer! 

     And yet, in Jesus’ eyes, that was the only way.  Not only was Jesus Messiah going to have to suffer; anyone who chose to follow him should not be surprised at having to suffer also!

     And now, “six days later” Jesus takes Peter, James and John up a mountain.  He knows they need to go deeper in their faith.  He wants them to be willing to follow him more faithfully and courageously. He knows they need assurance and courage for the journey.   So, in order to change and transform the disciples, Jesus is changed, transformed in their presence.  Their Master, walking the earth just as they do, hungering and thirsting just like them, is suddenly joined by Moses and Elijah, heroic figures from the Old Testament.  And there is dazzling light radiating from Jesus, followed by a voice from heaven repeating what had been said at his baptism, “This is my beloved Son; with him I am well pleased.”  And, then, a command: “Listen to him!”

     And how do the disciples respond?  Well, just like I would, I imagine—how about you?  They fall to the ground, terrified, filled with fear.  They are as good as dead, so overwhelmed are they by their fear. 

     And what does Jesus do?  He comes to them.  And, instead of chewing them out, instead of throwing them off the team, instead of railing at them for failing yet again, he touches them.  He touches them, and tells them, “Get up, and do not be afraid!”

     And would you be surprised to learn that Jesus has said “Get up” to someone before?  A few chapters earlier, a synagogue leader came pleading to Jesus, “My daughter is dead.  Help me!”  And Jesus went to the daughter, and took her by the hand, and said, “Get up!” and the daughter came back to life.  And later, at the end of the gospel, Jesus himself will “get up,” Jesus will be raised. The Greek word can be translated either “get up” or “be raised”.  Jesus gets up, Jesus is raised—and in his resurrection gives his disciples the courage and the commission to proclaim the gospel far and wide.

     The touch that Jesus offers is the touch that gives life!  It gives life to frightened disciples, good-as-dead disciples, disciples who are still learning what it means to follow Jesus, and sends them on their way into the world in Jesus’ name.  And the disciples go, vigorous, courageous, full of the life of Christ, to proclaim the good news that has been entrusted to them.

     How wonderful it is—that touch of Jesus, the touch that gives life!

     Life to disciples then, and life to disciples NOW.

     Because we need that touch of Jesus too, don’t we?  Aren’t we afraid to follow Jesus?  It could change us, after all, maybe even make us look a little weird or strange to the rest of the world.  It could demand hard things of us.  It could challenge us to let go of self, let go of the things of this world, let go of so much that is familiar in order to embrace the unfamiliar—but overflowing with life!—invitation of Jesus.  That’s why the heavenly voice urges, “Listen to him!” 

     That voice knows—God knows—that we are inclined to look in all the wrong places for life and courage and hope, and all we get is disappointment and even death.  So the command: “Listen to Jesus!  Listen to the one whose touch gives you LIFE!”

     And Jesus does touch us, even today.  Oh, we can’t see him as his first disciples did.  But he is with us.  That’s his promise!  And Jesus KEEPS his promises!  Jesus is with us, and touches us as his Word is proclaimed, and his Sacraments are celebrated.  Jesus is with us, and touches us, when the people of God—that’s us!—share the healing, loving, caring, encouraging, and life-giving touch and the living word of God!

     When we’re afraid, when we’re as good as dead, when we’ve forgotten to listen to Christ, Jesus touches us and encourages us, “Get up!  Don’t be afraid!  I am with you!”

     And that’s what gives us the courage to follow Jesus!  That’s what gives us the will to change, more and more, into his likeness! 

     Jesus has touched us with HIS life-giving touch, and we, in turn, share his touch with others! 

     No, it’s not easy.  It wasn’t easy for Jesus; we know where his journey led.  It wasn’t easy for the first disciples, who had to be corrected, encouraged, and refreshed again and again.  So why should we expect it to be easy for us?

     No, it’s not easy, but it’s worth it—don’t you agree?

     A secretary in a university was in conversation with Pastor William Willimon.  It was during the first Gulf War.  The secretary asked Willimon if he had any household chores he needed done.  She went on to explain that she had befriended an Iraqi graduate student at the university.  When the war erupted, his funds were cut off.  He couldn’t stay in school, and he couldn’t go home.  So the secretary and her husband had taken the young man into their home, and were trying to find him odd jobs so he could earn a little money.

     “What does he think about the war?” Willimon sked.

     “Oh, he thinks we’re terrible and Saddam is just wonderful!” she replied.

    “Well I find it interesting,” Willimon commented, “that you’d choose to take this Iraqi into your home and want to care for him.”

     “I decided?  I wanted?” the woman replied, with not a little indignation.

     “Well, why did you do it?” Willimon asked.

     She slammed her fist down on her desk and said, “Because I’m a Christian, darn it!  You think it’s easy?”[i]

     Yes, it can be risky, even dangerous, to follow Jesus.  After all, it wasn’t a cakewalk for Jesus himself! 

     It can be dangerous, but we’ve been touched by Jesus, touched by the One who gives abundant and eternal life!

     Touched by the One who goes with us on our journey!

     Willimon also tells of a friend who, like many children, grew up being strongly cautioned by his mother about the danger of crossing the street, with all the cars whizzing by.  As the man grew older, he was given permission to cross on his own, not so terrified, but still well aware of his mother’s repeated warnings.  That friend, now in his fifties, said not long ago, “One thing I have found out later in life.  My mother was right.  Most of the bad things that happen to you in life happen when you are crossing over to the other side.  A lot of pain could be avoided in this life if we only followed this simple rule—don’t cross the street unless you are holding somebody else’s hand.”[ii]

     And we are.  We’ve been touched by Jesus, who tells us, “Get up!  Don’t be afraid!”  Jesus gives us the power and the courage to change, more and more, into his likeness.  And as we do, he promises over and over, “Don’t be afraid!  Be of good courage.  After all, I—the crucified and risen One—I am with you always!”

     How good it is to cross the street—when we’re holding Jesus’ hand, touched by the One who gives us life!

                                                                                                            AMEN.

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[i] William Willimon, Pulpit Resource, Vol. 36, No. 1, p. 24

[ii] Ibid, p. 23