11 As Jesus continued on toward Jerusalem, he reached the border between Galilee and Samaria. 12 As he entered a village there, ten men with leprosy stood at a distance, 13 crying out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” 14 He looked at them and said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy. 15 One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, “Praise God!” 16 He fell to the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan. 17 Jesus asked, “Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? 18 Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” 19 And Jesus said to the man, “Stand up and go. Your faith has healed (or saved) you.” Luke 17:11-19 (NLT)
Normally, when we read this story we focus on the fact that nine men did not come back and thank Jesus. But as I read it again, two things stood out to me. Isn’t it great that each time you read something in the Bible God reveals something new?
Verse 14 says “As they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy.” This made me think of our lives. Most of the time, when we need healing from something, whether it be physical or spiritual, it’s a process. It’s something that happens as we go. This is especially true with spiritual things. Each day, as we look to Jesus, we are changed. Sometimes in ways we can’t even recognize until we look back. But all along the way he is working in our hearts. This process is called sanctification. I think the “as you go” part is especially important because God uses our challenges, our suffering and our lives in general to grow us.
Another thing that stood out to me was what Jesus said to the man who returned. He had already been healed. Jesus said “Your faith has saved you.” It’s never our external condition that saves us. It’s never about what we look like on the outside. It’s more about what is happening on the inside. It’s from the inside that we show our love and praise for God. The man who returned entered into relationship with Jesus. He didn’t just continue on his way. He stopped, he drew near and he praised. That is what saved him.
It’s so easy to continue down our path and not take note of what God is doing or has done. It is super important to stop, draw near to Jesus and ponder God’s goodness. Isn’t it?