responding to God's kindness

Jesus heals lepers

In Jesus’ day, those with a contagious skin disease – an itchy rash, a skin infection, or leprosy - were regarded as “unclean”.  They needed to self-isolate from their family and community. It meant staying outside of villages, living with other lepers, and begging passers-by for food.

One day a bunch of 10 lepers saw Jesus coming along. They must have heard about Jesus’ healing miracles, because they cried out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” (Luke 17:13 NLT)

Jesus said: “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” The priest would determine if they were clean or unclean; whether they had to stay in isolation or could go home.  On the way they were healed.  They could reunite with their families, go to work, play sport, gather for birthdays, worship with others, and return to everyday life. 

If you’d been in isolation months or years, how would you have felt about that?  What would you have done?

Before going home, one of the lepers came back to Jesus, praising God. He fell at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. Jesus wondered why the other 9 did not return to praise God. I wonder that too… 

Hmmm. Looking back, I’ve often asked God for help - and received it. Yet once the trial was over, I’ve been so keen to get on with life that I’ve forgotten to say: “Thank you Lord!”  In effect: “God I want your help and blessing when I’m stuck, but I don’t want you the rest of the time!” 

When we give thanks, it blesses God and it blesses us. When this man returns to give thanks, it builds relationship. Jesus blesses him again: “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.” 

Jesus shares his mercy with all people. Doesn’t matter who you are, where you’re from, what you’ve done, or what you are dealing with.  You can cry out to Jesus for help, forgiveness, healing, strength, or hope.  He has shown you his mercy by dying in your place and rising to life so you could do life with him. 

By giving thanks for his mercy, we acknowledge God’s kindness and enjoy relationship with him. That’s exactly what he wants for every one of us! 

Pastor Rolly