May 15, 2000
FAMILY BIBLE SERIES:
More than lip-service found in holy kiss of harmony
___2 Corinthians 13:1-13
___By Stacy Conner
___First Baptist Church, Muleshoe
___In the 1990 campaign for governor of Texas, Midland oil man Clayton Williams was leading Ann Richards by a landslide margin. He made a few mistakes; he told a joke or two he should not have told. But going into the final week before the election, he continued to hold a significant lead over the future governor.
___That lead held until they met at a campaign gathering. Ann Richards was sitting at the head table when Clayton Williams approached her from behind. Williams was upset oversomething said by Richards, and he confronted her. She replied, "Clayton, I am surely sorry you feel that way," and she extended her hand. Williams refused to take her hand, and he stormed off the stage.
___Ann Richards turned around and said to the gentleman sitting next to her, "We won." The gentleman asked, "How do you know?" She replied, "These cameras caught him refusing to shake my hand."
___As you know, Ann Richards went on to win an upset victory.
___The cameras caught Clayton Williams refusing to shake hands with Ann Richards, and this public rebuke struck something in our sense of politeness. Williams probably had a greater understanding of the significance of a handshake. To shake hands with someone with whom you disagree may be polite, but it conveys a misleading sense of harmony.
___Contention and a divisive spirit can destroy a church. As Paul concludes his second letter to the Corinthians, he encourages them to demonstrate a sense of unity. One of the ways they could demonstrate their unity was to greet one another in a manner that exhibited their oneness. The "holy kiss" was a way of greeting one another that showed a mutual respect.
___The historians believe a kiss of greeting was not extended across gender lines. Men greeted men and women greeted women with a holy kiss of respect and fellowship.
___By the 200s the eastern church, or what would become the Greek church, had incorporated the holy kiss into their worship. Before the Lord's Supper was served, a holy kiss was exchanged between members indicating the reconciliation among the membership. A deacon would stand and ask, "Is there any one who has anything against his fellow?" as a way of final precaution.
___Then the membership would exchange a holy kiss in demonstration of harmony among believers.
___As Paul closes out this letter that has been filled with reprimand and confrontation, he encourages the Corinthians to put all aside for the cause of Christ and serve in harmony. That is probably not a bad lesson for everyone.
___It has been a privilege to write these lessons for the last six months. I appreciate all the comment and encouragement I have received from around the state. I am especially grateful to realize that more people than just my mother have been reading these brief ideas.
___May God bless you in the study of his word.
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