As We Go

​Faith is active. Never passive.

​Believing then acting on our belief is something you and I do.
Luke 17:11-19 records the amazing, inspiring, healing miracle of ten people with leprosy.
Scenario.
Jesus and His disciples were traveling to Jerusalem. Entering a “certain village” along the way, ten people with leprosy “stood at a distance from Him.”    
Leprosy was and is a horribly debilitating, disfiguring disease. A person with leprosy in Jesus’ day was socially isolated, ex-communicated from the community. A leper had to announce they were “unclean, unclean” whenever they were in public.

1. THE LEPERS HAD A SERIOUS NEED. (Verses 12-13) Though unclean outcasts, they were not embarrassed. The leprous men were desperately determined to ask for healing. From a distance they raised their voices. Loudly so Jesus could hear.
2. THEY ASKED JESUS TO HAVE MERCY ON THEM. (Verse 13). The Jewish Law and societal expectations showed them no mercy. In concert, the ten called on the “Master” to show them mercy. It was obvious to everyone observing that the mercy they sought was cleansing, healing, relief from leprosy. The ten needed a miracle.
3. THEY OBEYED WHAT JESUS TOLD THEM TO DO. (Verse 14a). They did not debate. No questions. No hesitation. They went to the Temple to report to the priests according to Jesus’ instructions. They did what Jesus told them to do.
4. AS THEY WENT, THEY WERE CLEANSED! (Verse 14b). Imagine! You are one of the lepers. Having suffered with leprosy most of your life. As you are walking to the Temple you gaze upon your flesh. The leprous skin is gone! Disappeared. In an instance. Ten lifelong lepers…unclean to clean! A healing miracle happened!!!
5. ONE OF THE TEN RETURNED, GLORIFYING GOD AND THANKING JESUS. (Verse15-16). He was a Samaritan. The Jews looked down on the Samaritans. Not Jesus. His heart was stirred with compassion as ten leprous men cried out for mercy. With His word, mercy is granted. Go. See the priests. Show them your miracle.
   •  I wonder what the priests thought when they heard the lepers story. Probably had not seen this before in their priestly duties.

 

• One healed guy came back to Jesus. One. Only one. Where were the other nine? Cleansed and shamefully ungrateful.

 

1. JESUS TOLD THE GRATEGUL, FORMER LEPER: “RISE, GO YOUR WAY, YOUR FAITH HAS MADE YOU WELL.” (Verse 19). I can only imagine how thankful and joyful the one healed leper was. I can see him leaping, dancing and praising God! Jesus said to him “Your faith has made you well.” Go your way as a former leper who has a testimony of God’s miraculous, healing power!

Note: Jesus told the ten to go to the priests. Now He tells the one thankful man to go his way as a healed man. FAITH GOES!
TRUTH: Healing was in the going because going was an act of faith in Jesus.

• Faith is active. It believes. Confesses. Obeys God’s directions. Cleansing, healing and miracles happen in the going to do what Jesus directs us to do. Then gratefully and joyously returns to give God glory and Jesus thanks for the received miracle.

Friends. Sometimes when we need cleansing, or healing or some miracle from Jesus, we sit when the Lord tells us to get up. Get off your spiritual fanny (my words, not Jesus’), do what I direct you to do. Go with faith. Believe then receive what you have asked for.
Worth Thinking About

• Are you telling Jesus specifically what you need?
• Are you obeying without questioning what Jesus tells you to do?
• Are you giving God the glory for what He has done?
• Are you thanking Jesus for what He has done?
• Are you rejoicing that your faith in Christ has made you well?
• Are you sharing with others what Jesus did for you as you were going?

Personal note: the more I walk by faith with Jesus, the more I realize faith is demonstrated by obedience to the Lord’s directions. Saying I believe is proven by taking action on that belief. To say I have faith and not act on it borders on unbelief in my book.
MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST, DO YOU NEED JESUS TO HEAL YOU? RESTORE YOU? FORGIVE YOU? PROVIDE FOR YOU? PROTECT YOU? IF SO, GET UP. GET GOING TO HIM. GET GOING TO WHATEVER HE TELLS YOU TO DO.
Mary, mother of Jesus “Whatever He says to you, do it.” John 2:5
A Word For Your Week: With faith-filled obedience to Jesus, RECEIVE YOUR MIRACLE AS YOU GO.