Jump Start # 1008

Revelation 1:17 “When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. And He placed His right hand on me, saying, ‘Do not be afraid, I am the first and the last.”

The visions of Revelation begin with John seeing the glorified Christ. John had seen Jesus at the transfiguration, where the Lord was glorified. He didn’t fall like a dead man then, but he does here. There are a couple of thoughts to consider.

First, the presence of the glorified Christ illustrates His glory and our failures. He is holy, and we are not. He is perfect, and we are not. He is God and we are human. Throughout Scriptures, there is a divine respect for the presence of God. Moses was only allowed to see God’s back side. When Peter recognized Jesus, he told Him to depart because he was sinful. When Isaiah saw God in the temple, he declared that he was ruined for his eyes have seen the King. When God questioned Job about his right to question Him, Job crumbled in fear. In our passage, John falls as a dead man in the presence of the glorified Christ. What you don’t find is this causal, good-ole-boy attitude that many writers have about God. The talk about God is cheap. The attitude toward God is vain and disrespectful. Much of what is wrong in religious circles comes from not understanding God. The ShowTime entertainment driven worship is not about God, it’s about what the crowd longs for. Far too many feel that they have a corner on God and that they have got God figured out. That’s dangerous, erroneous, and misleading. Those that were the closest to God in the Scriptures, had a deep respect and reverence for God. Their words, actions and attitudes toward God were holy.

The second thought that this verse shows us is Jesus putting his hand on John. Jesus touched. That is characteristic of Jesus. He put his hands upon the eyes of the blind. He touched lepers. He touched the coffin of a young man. He took the hand of Peter when he lost faith and started to sink in the waters, instead of walking upon the water. Jesus was always touching. He didn’t stand at a distance and wave a magic wand. He came near. He touched. People felt His hand.

In our passage, John is scared. He fell as a dead man. The touch of Jesus offered assurance. The touch of Jesus let John know that all was fine. The touch of Jesus.

We are not Jesus, but there is something to be said about touches. Hugs, handshakes, fist bumps accompanied by smiles can sure warm up hearts and make folks feel that they are wanted and loved. Jesus knew the value of a touch. I’m one who likes hugs. There is something special about those hugs. To me, hugs are like the next level beyond handshakes. You can’t get much closer to a person than a hug.

Here’s what I’ve found. Many folks are missing acceptance, love and affection in their lives. Home life isn’t good. Tension abounds. Arguments and shouting are normal. Work doesn’t generate hugs. There it’s a constant dog fight. And they come to church services, lonely, beat up, and uncertain whether they belong or are good enough to be there. Imagine what several genuine hugs will do to such a soul. Fellowship is more than a name in a church directory. It is being connected, belonging and being accepted by others. It is being a part of the team. It is being counted on and wanted.

I wonder how many are missing that in congregations. They come but are rarely spoken to. They sit quietly. Worship quietly. And, then they leave quietly. Something is missing. There is a hole in their hearts that is not being filled. When tough times come, they quietly slip off the map and fall away. They have been on the outside looking in the entire time. What’s missing is that warmth of fellowship. What’s missing is connections. What’s missing is touches. What’s missing is the sense that they belong. All of us need that. It is important for leaders within the congregation to recognize that and to see that the sheep are fitting in.

Jesus touched. Jesus was there. Simple words but amazing results.

Roger