Word@Work Luke261 - Luke 17:11-14
Published: Wed, 12/22/10
Word@Work from BeaconLight
ENOUGH FAITH TO COME TO JESUS
Luke 17:11-14 Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus travelled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!" When he saw them, he said, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were cleansed. (NIV)
Leprosy, in Jesus' day, was very much feared. The word covered a group of skin diseases which were considered so infectious that the sufferers were totally excluded from normal society. They had to live outside the towns, separated from their families and were not allowed to join in worship at the synagogue or the temple. The only society they could have was with other lepers. The diagnosis was made by priests who had Leviticus chapters 13-14 as their medical textbook, written by Moses under God's instruction! And only the priests could declare a person fit again, if the signs of the disease disappeared.
As Jesus was passing one of these leper communes, ten of them came out to see Him. Without getting close to Him, they shouted out, begging Jesus to have mercy on them. There was no healing service; He simply told them to report to the priests. And even though they were covered in diseased skin, they believed in Him, accepted His authoritative word and set off to find the priests. As they went on their way, they noticed that their skin had become quite normal. Jesus had healed them!
What would have happened if they had not come to meet Jesus? Nothing! They would have remained blighted by disease. How they had heard about Jesus we do not know, but we do know that they believed that He had the authority to deal with their problem. Because they believed, they came to Him, they called for mercy, they listened to His command and they obeyed. It is the way everybody has to come if they are to be welcomed into fellowship with God. They just need enough faith to come as they are, with all their sin, simply asking for mercy, believing His Word and being willing to obey His commands. Let's not make faith so complicated!
Prayer: Dear Lord. Thank You that You do not demand anything from sinners except willingness to come to Jesus and ask for mercy. I am sorry when I have made faith too complicated for myself, and for others. Thank You that I can come to You simply, confessing my sins, and be assured of Your cleansing. Please enable me to give this straightforward message to my friends and colleagues, so that they can also find peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. In His Name. Amen.
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Leprosy, in Jesus' day, was very much feared. The word covered a group of skin diseases which were considered so infectious that the sufferers were totally excluded from normal society. They had to live outside the towns, separated from their families and were not allowed to join in worship at the synagogue or the temple. The only society they could have was with other lepers. The diagnosis was made by priests who had Leviticus chapters 13-14 as their medical textbook, written by Moses under God's instruction! And only the priests could declare a person fit again, if the signs of the disease disappeared.
As Jesus was passing one of these leper communes, ten of them came out to see Him. Without getting close to Him, they shouted out, begging Jesus to have mercy on them. There was no healing service; He simply told them to report to the priests. And even though they were covered in diseased skin, they believed in Him, accepted His authoritative word and set off to find the priests. As they went on their way, they noticed that their skin had become quite normal. Jesus had healed them!
What would have happened if they had not come to meet Jesus? Nothing! They would have remained blighted by disease. How they had heard about Jesus we do not know, but we do know that they believed that He had the authority to deal with their problem. Because they believed, they came to Him, they called for mercy, they listened to His command and they obeyed. It is the way everybody has to come if they are to be welcomed into fellowship with God. They just need enough faith to come as they are, with all their sin, simply asking for mercy, believing His Word and being willing to obey His commands. Let's not make faith so complicated!
Prayer: Dear Lord. Thank You that You do not demand anything from sinners except willingness to come to Jesus and ask for mercy. I am sorry when I have made faith too complicated for myself, and for others. Thank You that I can come to You simply, confessing my sins, and be assured of Your cleansing. Please enable me to give this straightforward message to my friends and colleagues, so that they can also find peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. In His Name. Amen.
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