{RE:} "Has no one else returned?"

March 9th, 2022

It's Wednesday of our first week together. If this is a new rhythm for you (whether waking earlier or taking daily time for reflection) how are you feeling? What are you noticing?

Wednesday: "Has no one else returned?"

Read: Luke 17: 11-19

"On the way to Jerusalem, Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, they called out saying, "Jesus, master, have mercy on us!"
When he say them, he said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests."
And as they went, they were made clean.

Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice.
He prostrated himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan.

Then Jesus asked, "Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?"
Then he said to him, "Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well."

Reflect:

All 10 of these lepers, both Jewish and Samaritan, knew about Jesus and sought him out. What plays out is a great example of the promise we read yesterday - that when we turn to God he is faithful to turn to us, no matter what we bring to him! They cry out for mercy and he commands them to go see the priests. As they walk away in obedience, they realize that they are healed!

Imagine yourself as a character in this story. Hearing that Jesus is approaching, what would you cry out to him for? Would you ask for healing? Is there something, like the lepers, that is keeping you from feeling whole? Take time to think about what your cry would be.

It seems to be an important part of the story that these people were from different communities (Samaritans and Jewish) because the writer points it out. Notice how Jesus doesn't separate them and offer healing to only one group. Also notice that it is the Samaritan who returns to give thanks." Pause for a moment to consider what this might mean in your story.

After noticing their healing, something that would have been completely life changing and beyond comprehension, only one of the returns to give thanks. To be sure, the other 9 were probably very grateful for this miracle. But the culminating part of this story is that one (unlikely) man returned to Jesus to give thanks and praise.

We are often really good at bringing our concerns and requests to God in prayer, but do we forget to return in gratitude? I know I often do.
- Take time this morning to consider what you are grateful for and give thanks to God.
- The one who returned heard Jesus speak a word of blessing over him - how much do I miss out on when I forget to return to God and give thanks?

Before you go to bed each night this week, try to think of 3 things from the day that you can give thanks for. See if you notice any shift in your perspective!

Respond:

O my God,
let me, with thanksgiving, remember,
and confess to you your mercies on me.
Let my bones be drenched with your love,
and let them say to you, ‘Who is like you, O Lord?’
You have broken my bonds,
I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving.
And how you have broken them, I will declare;
and all who worship you, when they hear this, shall say,
“Blessed be the Lord, in heaven and in earth,
great and wonderful is his name.“

St. Augustine of Hippo, 354-430

7 Comments

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Melody - March 9th, 2022 at 4:34am

It's all in the obedience, in taking the first action step that Jesus commands.

Today, this story is reminding me of Naaman, the Syrian commander with leprosy in Kings. These lepers contrast with him because they took immediate action to do what Jesus said, but his logic and pride delayed his healing. I definitely relate to him more than them.

Right now, there's an important area in my life that needs healing, and Jesus is showing me an action step in obedience that can lead to this healing... I've lost my ability to trust his plan & process in this area that I don't want to go into right now, but please pray with me that I will trust him to take that first step this week. God, help me to stop being like Naaman, looking for the logic when you're just looking for surrender. May I be that one who turns back and gets to see beyond the healing to the heart of the healer.

Nick Tebordo - March 9th, 2022 at 5:31am

Praying with you Melody! I can sure relate to looking for the logic rather than simple obedience. As I begin this day, I am laying my “drivenness” down. Enjoying this moment rather than checking another task off my list is a challenge. I look forward to thanksliving today.

Teri - March 9th, 2022 at 8:04am

Peace be with you.

Teri - March 9th, 2022 at 7:33am

Here and now, in 2022, I think about how many “lepers” in our community are huddled on the outskirts of town who don’t feel worthy to drive up to receive the ashes or to ask for the blessing inside the walls of the cozy church. I think about the lay pastors who take it upon themselves to bring the blessings to the outcast because they, too, don’t feel welcome within the walls. I thank God for the small unordained blessings found in the valleys and in the shadows of the steeples and those found miles and miles away from the beautiful people sitting comfortably in their pews. I think of those huddled together in bunkers, separated from loved ones - and their beloved sanctuaries, because they don’t have the security that their neighbors enjoy. I can’t quite quote the rote scripture passages for these prayers, and yet I know God hears them, Jesus knows what’s in my heart, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, I minister to the “lepers” in the shadows, along these cobblestone paths, just like me. Alleluia. Lord, hear my prayer.

AJ - March 9th, 2022 at 9:00am

I am finding that I can kind of relate to the lepers. Lepresy is a disease that can't really be hidden. Everyone can see it. Many times I see myself like that. That I am completely broken and sick and damaged. I have open wounds that I try so hard to hide from everyone, but I am realizing that real healing can only happen when I actually look at and acknowledge those wounds and allow God to heal me.

I pray that God will continue to look at God's love and allow him to heal me and make me the whole and healthy person he wants me to be. And I pray that I will remember to praise him for being God

Susan Blais - March 9th, 2022 at 9:39am

From just after midnight to 2:30 AM this morning I spent time in the emergency room to ensure that any infection that I have on my foot did not go into sepsis. Maybe because of the hour of the morning, or because of my tiredness, I don’t remember giving thanks to God for my good outcome. And even as I was in prayer this morning, my mind went immediately to praying for others before I remembered to thank God for my own healing. I am ashamed to have to say this, because my thinks was delayed. I need to learn how to be thankful and let the praise slip out of my mouth immediately to the Lord. I claim no excuse end it should’ve been the first words out of my mouth. Lord, I pray that you will help me to learn how to let thankfulness be my first Expression.

Susan Blais - March 14th, 2022 at 4:40am

Immediately upon reading this passage I remembered the day my mother passed away. I was at the hospital and was able to see her immediately after she died. I remember being so devastated, but at the same time I felt hopeful because I knew the Lord and I knew that I would see her again in a better place at a better time. Thank you Lord for being in my life especially at this most important time.