A Kind “Tap” on the Shoulder

We were in a strange land. At least it was to us.  My wife and I were in Rome as part of a 2-week vacation visiting several different regions of Italy. Because we both prefer exploring at our own pace and leisure we chose not to travel as part of a guided tour, which meant we were pretty much “on our own”. 

While in Rome we stayed in the delightful, outlying neighborhood of Trastevere which meant relying on public transportation to get to central Rome where so many of the “must sees” are located.  So there we were, on a bus, heading for the Pantheon, and not at all certain which stop to get off at.  I asked an elderly gentleman (in English) if he could help us.  He did not speak English, but was eager to help.  He motioned to the map in my hand, wanting me to point out where we were going. I pointed to the Pantheon and he said “Ahhh” and gave me a look and tap on the shoulder indicating that he would let me know where to get off. Sure enough, when we got to the correct stop, he tapped me on the shoulder and pointed to the exit door.  He and his wife smiled at us and waved “good bye”.

Soon after exiting the bus, we came upon an intersection with multiple streets that both converged and confounded!  Stymied once again, we stared blankly at the street map of Rome trying to make sense of it when I felt a gentle tap on my shoulder.  It was the kind gentleman and his wife from the bus.  With a wide grin on his face, and using hand motions, he was pointing to the correct street.  I thanked him again, and as we made our way, I looked over my shoulder and I saw something that blew my mind.  He and his wife were getting back on the same bus!  This man, in his great kindness, must have realized we’d be encountering this confusing intersection, so he and his wife interrupted their own travel plans, got off the bus, and followed us at a distance to make sure we correctly navigated the intersection!

 But the story doesn’t end there.  The next day, back in our residential neighborhood of Trastevere and several miles from where we met this gentleman and his wife, we were taking an early morning walk.  As we rounded a corner, we could hardly believe our eyes.  Heading toward us, in this city of well over 3 million residents and tourists, was this same man and his wife - also out for an early morning stroll!  They were as surprised to see us as we were them!  By the smiles and hugs exchanged any onlooker would have thought we were family!

The kindness of this man and his wife reminded me that even in our very flawed and sinful humanity, we still are the image bearers of our creator – what they did for these two “lost vagabonds traveling in a strange land” was so godlike.

In the opening chapters of Genesis we read of the tragic sin and eviction of Adam and Eve from Eden. Prior to that, they blissfully lived in that paradise with God.  But now they are vagabonds living in a strange land and world that is anything but idyllic. And sadly, they took all of humanity there with them - and it’s where you and I live today.

But as we read the continuing saga through Genesis and into Exodus, something quite remarkable is revealed that may have escaped our notice:  the “kind tap on the shoulder” by a loving God who has not abandoned mankind to aimless and endless wandering beyond the borders of Eden.  

For instance, there was the “tap on the shoulder” to an old and childless couple.  Another came generations later when curiosity caused a shepherd to turn aside to a burning bush that did not burn up.  Not long after that, another “tap” came in the form a cloud by day, and a pillar of fire by night. In each case, it was God, who having followed mankind beyond Eden’s borders into this strange land, was kindly pointing the way.

 But where exactly was he pointing to?  How about a stable in Bethlehem? How about a cross on Golgotha?  How about an empty tomb in a Jewish cemetery?  Yes, God was pointing to our blessed savior who is the ultimate “tap on the shoulder”. He came both to make a way, and to show us that way.  But “Where to?” you may ask.  The way back home.  Eden is still there, and so is our God and savior. And in his hand is an eviction notice…..torn in two.  What a kind and awesome God He is! 

 By the way, the Pantheon was phenomenal.  Eden will be better.