You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.”
Hebrews 12:18-20
Starting on Thursday, October 15, my life changed. I didn’t say it changed for the better or worse. It just changed. Why? Because starting on that fateful evening, The Untouchables was on TV[1].
It was great! Every week there was an exciting episode where the bad guys always lost and the good guys always won. Elliot Ness, played by Robert Stack, was the handsome, all-American here who stood for truth and justice. He couldn’t be bought off or corrupted. He was brave and true. He was one of my heroes.
So, when the movie version came out, I was excited and cautious. Yes, my childhood hero was coming to the big screen. But would they treat him with the respect he deserved? Well, The Untouchables[2] was a success for me. It held high the man that I admired as a child, and Sean Connery earned an Oscar for his role.
While I still like these shows, the idea of something being untouchable has two different sides. Yes, we want people to remain committed to the truth. Unmovable. Untouchable by bribes or pressures.
But the other side of untouchable isn’t very popular at all. We believe that everyone deserves love, affection, and acceptance. This is why Princess Diana’s visit to an AIDS clinic[3] was so powerful. This is why pictures of Mother Theresa caring for the untouchable still moves us so.
The question that immediately comes into our heads is why. Why bring up this story from the past? Why did the writer spend time reminding the Hebrews about this violent and scary event from their past? Why not tell a story that will make them feel better? Why not something happy and encouraging?
Well, for one reason, their lives weren’t happy. The Hebrews were in a daily struggle just to survive. Every knock at the door could mean that a loved one was going to be dragged away and thrown in prison. Or worse.
Memories from Siani are a reminder of God’s compassion and love for them. It’s a great story to reassure them that getting near to Jesus isn’t like coming to Siani. Jesus has saved us from all of God’s righteous anger that we deserve[4]. All of God’s anger and punishment were nailed with Jesus on the cross[5]. and his payment for all their sins , are not approaching such a place as Sinai.
Remembering times like this on Siani are important. We need to read about them every so often. There’s a truth that we just can’t throw away like some used wipe. We need to remember the pain of our past.
You might think that I’ve lost my mind, but I purposefully think back and remember Sunday, March 14, 1976. Even though it was a long time ago, I work hard at remembering all the things that happened that day. It wasn’t the day we got married. It wasn’t the birth of a child. It was the day that I experienced excruciating pain and became paralyzed.
So, why in the world would I want to remember that horrible experience and day? Because every day after that day is a blessing. Every step is one that I didn’t have. Each key I type is one more that almost was taken from me.
This is what make the cross of Christ so very special. Instead of us having to pay the price for our sins, God put it all on Jesus[6]. So, when we ask for forgiveness, God can clean us up from all sins and purify us[7]. This one and final payment for all sin brings us into an open and transparent relationship with God where we’re free to come to him at any time[8].
In Jesus, we’re no longer untouchable to God. God’s not untouchable to us. No more slavery to God, trying to do enough to pay for our sins. No more trying to do things that will get his attention. No more fear when we come to God. That’s over with
Now, in Jesus we’re his children and we can run to our loving Heavenly Father. We can call him our personal daddy. And as his child, there’s an eternal inheritance that’s guaranteed to us[9]. Words can’t tell the story of how grateful I am that God did all the work to change me from an eternal untouchable into one of his children. Oh how I want you to understand this. But more than just get it into your head, I desperately want you to receive God’s gift. He’s right there for the asking.
Noodling Questions
Describe a time that you met with someone who was untouchable.
What makes us think that untouchables are someone else? Why not us?
What has God done to make us touchable again to himself? To others?
[4] 1 Thessalonians 1:10
[5] Colossians 2:14,15
[6] Colossians 1:14
[7] 1 John 1:9
[8] John 8:36
[9] Romans 8:15-17
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