“HOLY HANDS” In the Old Testament, the laying on of hands was a sacred act of consecration. According to Leviticus chapter 16, while the freed slaves were in the wilderness, an Israelite priest would place his hands on a goat to publicly identify the source that would bring about reconciliation between God and the people. Then the goat would be let out of the camp, but when it was found it was slaughtered instead of the people. It’s where we get the term “scapegoat.” The innocent animal became the sacrifice for the guilty people, through the process of the religious leaders laying on of hands. Also when someone was to be put to death by stoning, a religious leader would lay their hands on the guilty one. Also when a person was chosen by God to lead the chosen people, a prophet or his predecessor would lay hands on the person to identify his successor. In the New Testament, laying on of hands served four purposes: a holy person blessing someone; healing someone through the transference of power; giving spiritual gifts; and giving a designated authority to someone. When United Methodist clergy successfully complete three-years of full-time ministry, the bishop and district superintendents lay their hands on the person to identify them as ready for a lifetime of ministry and the bishop says, “Take thou the authority to which you have been called by God.” Pastor Bill will experience the laying on of those holy hands in just two short years. In today’s lesson, Mathew 19:13-15, Jesus stopped teaching, preaching and challenging the Pharisees long enough to be with children. He was observing the ancient Hebrew tradition of rabbis laying their hands on people to demonstrate the power in their hands and the importance God places on those who are not deemed so by the community. He wasn’t too busy. The disciples must have had a low opinion of children. Can you imagine church leaders today becoming angry because we take time to have Moments With Children, or God’s Puppeteers, or children’s choir, or Christmas programs? We’re too busy, was the disciples’ attitudes. But Jesus publicly rebuked his disciples. “Let the little children come to me. Do not stop them. The kingdom of heaven belongs to them and to those adults who have soft, willing hearts like children.” Instead of trying to make children act like little adults, Jesus says the adults need to be more like children—kindhearted, innocent, gentle. Perhaps the disciples thought Jesus was crazy, I don’t know. But we do know that Jesus thinks children are important. Right now. Not when they get older. more mature. More like adults. But right now. Do you? Do we? Does our church act like children should have the same or higher priority than adult ministries? Are children welcome in our midst? I could name situations and decisions regarding our use of funding and facilities that might make us wonder, but I won’t. Instead, let’s talk about our hands. Throughout the Book of Psalms worshipers are repeatedly asked to lift up holy hands and bless the Lord. Some of us would rather die than obey those scriptures. Is it because we think only Pentecostals do that today? Or is it because we don’t believe our hands are holy? What are we doing with our hands that would cause us to think that? Holy means to be “sanctified or set apart for the work of Christ.” As a follower of Jesus we are involved in ministries that continue the mission he began--to save the world in every possible way. Are you working for Christ? Examine your hands. What do you see? Smooth or wrinkled skin? Elegant or stubby fingers? Look past their appearance. Are they hands that bring comfort or inflict pain? Are they rough and worn from helping others? Are they used for giving hugs or stirring up hatred? To welcome or disregard children? Diana Ross recorded a mega hit song, “Reach out and touch somebody’s hand, make this world a better place, if you can.” I wonder if that song ever motivated anyone to actually roll up their sleeves and get to work. When I think of Our Vision Statement, I wonder if we ever think we should be memorizing it or living it. Here lately I’ve been tempted to ask the Chancel Choir and Praise Band if they are writing a hymn and a praise song for our congregation as Pastor Bill and I challenged. I’m holding myself back. I’m curious and excited, but I don’t want to pressure them. All Ministry Teams of the church have been asked to start their meetings with Prayer, a Bible study and recitation of Our Vision Statement. In some meetings, I notice people watching to see if I’ve memorized it. Let us lift up our holy hands to obey the Psalms as we recite our Vision Statement. “We commit with love to: REACH UP to God through praise, worship and prayer. REACH IN to nurture through fellowship, study and discipleship. REACH OUT to our community and world through mission activities, service and evangelism.” Let us pray. God let these words give meaning and purpose to our lives. Help us to use our hands to bless and not curse your people. May they be holy hands that do not beat others down, but raise people up to love and serve in the name of Christ. Amen.” |