3 John 1:13 – 14 “I have many things to write to you, but I would prefer not to do so with pen and ink. Instead, I hope to see you soon and speak face to face. (Some translations say “mouth to mouth.”) Peace to you. The friends here send you greetings. Greet each of our friends there by name.”
If the last several months have taught us nothing else, they have taught us the importance of face to face contact! Many of us have found ourselves learning about zoom meetings, on – line courses, and all kinds of things we never anticipated. But throughout all of these experiences, one thing has become increasingly evident: There is NO substitute for face to face meetings!
Isolation due to COVID has hit certain groups particularly hard: the elderly, those with autism, those with dementia, and those who only thrive on skin to skin contact. While many introverts have weathered the isolations imposed by COVID regulations, groups dependent on personal contact have suffered! Some hospitals and nursing homes have tried to compensate by using tablets so that loved ones can face time patients; however, these measures still do not provide the tactile stimulation so necessary in many situations.
Many years ago, there were experiements done with baby monkeys who were divided into three groups. One group of babies was cared for nicely but impersonally – food and water were provided, but there was no cuddling and there were no other sources of comfort such as stuffed toys, blankets, etc. The second group was given good care plus they were also supplied with stuffed toys and blankets, but they were not cuddled. The third group received everything the first two groups did; and in addition, their care takers took them out of the cages and played with them and cuddled them. The predictable happened: the group of babies without tactile stimulation sickened and died. The group furnished with toys and blankets did better but did not grow well, while the third group flourished. This experiment was done at a time when infants were placed in incubators and care givers were ordered to touch them as little as possible to avoid spreading infection. The results of this experiment revolutionized the care of human babies in nurseries and led directly to programs in which volunteers and parents were trained to cuddle babies.
We all need human touch. We all do better when we are free to hug, to hold hands, to pat others on their shoulders, and to otherwise establish physical contact. The early Christians were no different. Consider the isolation the early Christians endured. Many times, Christians were a minority within their communities. They might face persecution from governmental officials. They might be driven from town to town. A visit from John, one of the most beloved church leaders, would be an incredible opportunity. We can imagine church members gathering in someone’s home, listening to John teach as long as he could continue to speak. And then there would be hugs, kisses, and prayers. Those present would be soaking up as much as possible, knowing that this might be the last time they would be able to gather together and worship together.
Notice that John is still being careful to be extremely vague – “The friends here send you greetings. Greet each of our friends there by name.” Remember that John is sending this message with someone who might be arrested and the letters taken away and sent on to some impersonal Roman official. John is writing passionately but also cautiously.
We have spent most of the last 32 years working in district hospitals in remote parts of northern Ghana. Through the years, we have missed birthdays, anniversaries, graduation parties, family gatherings on holidays, and all kinds of other celebrations at which friends and family would be hugging, kissing, patting, shaking hands, and soaking up affection. Missing these celebrations has been very difficult; not because of the food,or the presents but because we have lost the chance to hug family and friends and to hear them laugh and tell stories.
Many people have written about heaven. For us, one thing we look forward to in heaven is that there will be no good – byes. One day we will join with our loved ones around the throne of God and worship there forever. But there is a catch: Jesus said of himself, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes to the Father, except through Me.” (John 14:6) The Bible advises us that we must believe on the Lord Jesus Christ if we are to be saved. (Acts 16:31 “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, you and your household.” Romans 10:9 “that if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Nothing we can do is good enough to pay for our sins. We must accept the blood sacrifice Jesus Christ made for us on Calvary, believe in Him, confess our sins, and ask God to forgive us and to cleanse us. Only then are we assured of being reunited with our loved ones in heaven.
PRAYER: Father God, we believe! Help our unbelief! Thank you that you are a God of love who has made a way for us to be with you forever. Help everyone who reads this devotional to come to a saving knowledge of your Love and your Grace. In the matchless Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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