Good morning. In this passage from Luke 17, which tells us about the healing of 10 lepers, I think that we may find a key to healing and to victory.
As he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.” Luke 17:12-19
There are several important truths present in this passage. There is the love of Jesus for those who society has pushed away. There is the power of Jesus to bring healing when it was thought that nothing could be done. There is the voice of the needy crying out from a distance, suffering, but afraid to approach Him. There is the reaction of the one who returned to the Lord to give thanks. There is the reaction of the nine who neglected to do so. There is the proclamation of Jesus of the power of faith.
But there is one sentence in the midst of this episode that is easily missed, and I believe contains a powerful truth: And as they went they were cleansed.
Jesus gave them a command and they were obeying Him. Healing came when obedience occurred.
Think of how obedience is the gateway to our own understanding of the power of Christ Jesus. You may remember a time when you felt spiritually stuck for days, or weeks, or months, or even years. If we look back at that time, or perhaps look honestly at it right now, we see that it is a place of disobedience to the will of God that marks where progress was/is stopped. Healing comes and progress is restored when obedience to God’s will is accepted and accomplished.
Obedience is the critical key, crucial to progress and to healing.
Vern