Scripture:
Luke 17
Vs 12 And as he (Jesus) entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance
Vs 13 and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.”
Vs 14 When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed.
Vs 15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice;
Vs 16 and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks.
Vs 19 And he (Jesus) said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”
Observation:
Ten lepers approach Jesus, calling Him “Master” and want “mercy” from Him.
Jesus tells them to go and show themselves to the priests (who declare clean or unclean).
As they went they were cleansed, but only one came back to Jesus to give thanks and praise God.
Jesus now tells him to go his way and the reason for his healing was his faith.
Application:
Is Jesus my Master? … Really?
Am I obedient to Jesus … Really?
The lepers correctly and immediately identify Jesus as Master.
They also immediately obey His command.
What’s interesting to me in reading this, is why? Why would they have followed this particular command?
I also find interesting the command of the lepers to Jesus.
And they do, in fact, make their request in the form of a command.
They aren’t asking Jesus, “Will you pretty please show us mercy?”
They are telling Jesus, “Show us mercy!”
Now here’s why I’m finding this interesting today. No doubt the lepers have seen the priest plenty of times before.
The priests declare those who are “unclean” and must be kept on the outskirts of the community.
The priests are the last place the lepers would go if they want to be shown mercy!
Yet, Jesus tells the lepers to go to priests … and they go!
And as they go … they are cleansed … they receive the mercy they requested from Jesus.
The command to Jesus (“show mercy”), and the command from Jesus (“go to the priests”) seem to be repellant to each other.
The lepers go in the direction of that which seems to be the opposite of what they want?
Why? … Because they were following their Master. (And we just saw the last chapter Jesus said you cannot serve 2 masters.)
Their faith was not in the priest they were heading toward. Their faith was in the One giving the command.
And the lepers’ command to Jesus was honored, as well, because they were wanting something that Jesus is in the business of delivering … “mercy”. (We know Jesus repeatedly says, “I desire mercy…”)
Yet, their mercy is not realized until they act in obedience.
And their immediate obedience is done as an expression of their faith.
They all obeyed the initial command. They all received mercy. But only one returned with thanks and praise.
And Jesus gives another interesting command to this returning leper, “Go your own way”.
Jesus gives freedom to the one who lives with Him as master!
So, Jesus has seen this leper identify Him as Master, request mercy, act in obedience, live by faith, and express gratitude.
Now, I must ask myself if I do the same this grateful leper?
I call Jesus, Master.
Do I request what He wants to gladly give?
Do I act obediently when He says, “Go”? Even if it doesn’t make sense?
Do I live by faith?
Do I express gratitude to the giver of mercy?
Prayer:
Thank you, God, for your word.
Help me live with and serve you as Master
Help me see you as the giver of good things like mercy
Help me be grateful for all that you give
In Jesus name
Amen
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