“It Just Isn’t the Same”

Many of you have told me that one of the things you miss most as we are observing pandemic protocols is being physically present with people — the hugs and the handshakes. I too miss the physical presence with people. But, the truth is, I don’t miss the hugs and handshakes as much as some of you do. I know many of you describe yourselves as “huggers.” There have been times when I’ve reached out my hand to offer a handshake and been met with offense at a gesture that seemed too impersonal. This was a moment for a full embrace, which I had met with a measly handshake. The truth is, I do like hugs, handshakes and all the rest. However, I’ve always been the sort of person who has hated, almost more than anything, the feeling of encroaching on someone else’s space. It is, perhaps, my single biggest person neurosis. I know I miss a few hugging opportunities, because I err far on the side of not invading other people’s space. I err on the side of not touching, but gradually get more comfortable with it as I begin to have a sense of the other person’s orientation. And this sort of cautionary approach to touch, I’m sure, has unintentionally communicated a lack of warmth at times. I say all of this to point out that touch is a funny thing. Deeply personal in so many ways. For some, it is a primary love language that they cannot imagine going without. For others, they may have traumatic events in their past that associate pain or fear with touch. Some are enjoying the whole social distancing thing. And others are not. I think many are like myself and they just want to reciprocate in a way that is comfortable to the other person. Touch is a funny thing. And so for some, this virtual worship, virtual church “just isn’t the same.” They want people in the room with them that they can hug and touch, just as Jesus was with the disciples.

Right now is a tough time for those of you who are huggers by your nature. And it is a golden age for those of you who prefer to show your affection from 6 feet away. We’re locked in our homes. Some of us are deeply bothered by this. Others it doesn’t bother so much. And still others are asking — Is this even real life? It all seems so surreal.

In our Scripture this morning, Jesus says the same thing to three different groups of people. And to a large extent, the groups overlap. To each group, he says, “Peace be with you.” This morning, I want to suggest that we can probably relate to one or more of the groups to which Jesus speaks. The first group, in verse 19 — were locked up in a house and scared. They were bothered. The text says “for fear of the Jews.” Now, the disciples, themselves were Jews. The full witness of all the gospels helps us understand that the threat was not just from the Jews or even just Jewish leaders, but also Roman authorities who had an oppressive alliance with a narrow portion of the Jewish elite. Especially given the persistence of anti-semitism, unfortunately in our own community, it is best and historically faithful to understand this fear not against a particular religion or ethnic group — but rather against the very real principalities and powers that were threatened by the Jesus movement. Bottom line, these disciples locked up in a house were afraid of the powers that be who would benefit from stopping the Jesus movement. That’s the first group — these bothered people living with fear, locked up in a house. Sound familiar? And to these people, Jesus says, “Peace be with you.”

The second group — which is actually made up of the same peoplevas the first group — they have reason to rejoice. Same situation. Still locked up in the house. But now there is a shift. Away from fear and towards rejoicing. These people are content. They receive another gift beyond Jesus’ word of peace. He breathed on them (its okay, this was back before COVID-19) and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” Jesus gave them his peace and his Spirit. Interestingly, the peace seems to precede the Spirit. But still, to this second group, same as the first, Jesus declares, “Peace be with you.”

The third group is slightly different. First, they’ve been shut inside the house for one more week — a minor detail we might have all glossed over before, but now — we know. Being locked in for a week has its affect. And also, now Thomas the disciple is with them. Thomas, who comes to be known as “Doubting Thomas,” has his own particular orientation towards touch. I’m not sure if you could say he was a hugger, but he was definitely a “toucher.” He wasn’t going to believe unless he could feel the wounds of Jesus with his own hands. But remember, it took Mary Magdalene Jesus calling her by name before she believed. It took a physical appearance within a locked house, a week prior, before the rest of the disciples had a similar shift. I bet it would have been no different for us. To this group, Jesus gives them something unique — he allows them to touch his wound.” He offers evidence for the doubters. Physical contact for the touchers.

Throughout this passage, Jesus gives something unique to each group in their own snapshot moment of time. To the fearful and bothered crowd, he offers his presence. To the contented and rejoicing crowd, he offers his spirit. To the doubter, he offers evidence and touch. Doctors don’t give the same prescription to every patient. Medicine is tailored to the specific issue, or in some cases, lack of issue that each patient has. And we see the same variated spiritual response here from Jesus. To flesh out the larger spiritual truth here — we can be at different places spiritually. And that may cause us to have different spiritual next steps in our lives.

A few weeks back when tornadoes ripped through central Tennesee, including Cookeville, causing extensive physical damage and taking many lives, a report emerged of a Bible found among the wreckage that was relatively unscathed open to a page which contained the verse Jeremiah 46:28, which states: “Do no be afraid — for I will be with you. I will bring destruction on all the nations where I have banished you, but I will not bring destruction on you. I will discipline you with justice, but I will no means leave you unpunished.” The presence of an undisturbed Bible after a tornado among the wreckage may be a sign of comfort and divine hope for some. This is the picture of the Bibly, you can judge for yourself if it qualifies as undisturbed. I saw this story circulating through my feed on social media by several people who took hope from this incident.

While at the same time, for someone else, it can be quite problematic to say that God left a Bible untouched while destroying so many other things, including human life and so they don’t take the same message away from the story. In fact, when I open my Bible to Jeremiah 46:28, it is also open to Jeremiah 48:3–6 which states, “Hark! a cry from Horonaim,

‘Desolation and great destruction!’

‘Moab is destroyed!’

her little ones cry out.

For at the ascent of Luhith

they go up weeping bitterly;

for at the descent of Horonaim

they have heard the distressing cry of anguish.

Flee! Save yourselves!

Be like a wild ass in the desert!”

That certainly is a more difficult message to hear from an open Bible found among the wreckage of a tornado. Yet the same people who are bothered by the theological implications of assuming that God left this Bible open to a particular passage find meaning and purpose in seeing the helpers come together and begin to clean up, care for one another, and plan to rebuild.

My point is this — there are different spiritual prescriptions for different people and different situations. I, personally don’t find it particularly comforting that a Bible was left open to a certain passage. You can find many comforting passages throughout the Bible. Yet, I have been learning, slowly, not to make my own perspectives normative for everyone else.

As all the effects of the Coronavirus and quaratine continue to unfold, we may all take different lessons from it. We may see God at work in it in very different ways. But we’re different people. A sense of the divine presence in our personal circumstances will naturally be different — each shaped by where we are in our spiritual journeys, our own life history, educational background, and theological outlook. It is tempting to want to “correct” the ways in which we observe other people finding God in this moment. In most cases, I believe it is wise not to do so, especially as we observe Jesus giving unique spiritual nourishment to each group. I do think there are exceptions to this, particularly if something harmful is going on.

Now, even though a doctor gives different prescriptions to different patients with different circumstances, there are some prescriptions that virtually every doctor and medical professional will tell you apply almost everywhere to everyone across the board. Get plenty of sleep. Drink enough water. Don’t put too much stress on yourself. Get appropriate exercise. Eat healthy food. There are hardly any reasons you would go to a doctor and these things be considered bad advice. They are universally healthy things to do. A doctor will tell any group these things.

And the same is spiritually true. While, Jesus does give some variated spiritual nourishment to each group, the presence of a Bible amongst wreckage may speak to people differently, yet Jesus also gives a consistent spiritual admonition to each different group. “Peace be with you.” This is something that Jesus offers to all of us — to the diverse family of Christian people — wherever they are in their journey, whatever their tradition, whatever their circumstances. And this is something we all need in this season — however it is landing on you.

If you’re a hugger and a toucher, disturbed by the social distancing, Peace be with you.”

If you’re living in fear — of this virus, of economic implications, of new family dynamics or life rhythms — Peace be with you.

If you’re content as things are. If all of this has left you unflapped and unfazed, Peace be with you.

If you miss people, peace be with you.

If you miss life as it was, peace be with you.

If you’re bored, peace be with you.

If you’re busier than ever, peace be with you.

If you’ve received your stimulus check, peace with you.

If you haven’t, peace be with you.

If you’re a regular Epworth member, peace be with you

If you’re just joining us online during this time, peace be with you.

I think you’re probably catching on. Whatever your situation, wherever you are, whoever you are. Peace be with you.

How does peace come to be with you? I think that is where the spiritual advice gets more variated. And so let me briefly suggest a few ways to invite peace into your life. This is not a comprehensive list — try what you think may work for you. When my house is a mess, which it often is, it can feel overwhelming to know where to even start. The same can be true with our lives. I find that it works to just decide somewhere to start and tell myself, I’m going to clean the dining room first — or wherever. Work on one thing — you can’t do it all at once. Some things to cultivate peace in your life include:

Meditation — there are different mediation practices. I like Centering Prayer — I follow my breath and as thoughts arise, I release them and return to my breath. But there are also apps like Calm, Headspace, and many online resources to help you with mediative practices.

Prayer — speak and listen to God. Tell God what’s on your heart. Pray for others and yourself. Give God thanks and praise too.

Read Scripture — there are many daily reading plans. Or you can just pick somewhere and start. Read a gospel. There’s a “Read Together” initiative on our Conference website — umcna.org that has a Facebook Group and podcast to go along with it.

Read a book

talking with a friend

talking with your pastor

Journal

And there are till other ways to cultivate peace in your life.

Friends, this is what Jesus is saying to us this morning. Take it to heart. We all need it in this moment and indeed every moment. Peace be with you. Amen. Would you pray with me?