Looking Through the Eyes of a Leper
And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. Luke 17:15-16
This morning I read a short devotional from the National Office on Lessons from a Leper. With three simple points, the author revealed how we can enter 2024 on the right foot.
His three points are:
1. Look back with gratitude
2. Look around in faith
3. Look forward with anticipation
Each point, in my opinion, requires action on the lepers part. Verses 15-16 shows that out of the ten lepers healed, only one thanked Jesus for his healing. It may have taken him a moment to realize just exactly what he had received. Remember, leprosy was a lonely disease. It separated the individual from their family and friends. It was also a condemning disease. Those infected were given a death sentence, so to speak. However, when Jesus came by, He changed that. He gave hope, new life, and a glorious new outlook on what was once a bleak, meager existence. When this leper realized this, his first act was that of gratitude. He turned back and praised Jesus for his gift of life. I'm sure he had family and friends he wanted to share this with, but he took a moment to share his gratitude with the one who loved him so much that he gave him this wondrous gift.
The second point shows us that he looked around in faith. Verses 13-14 tells us they saw Jesus and acknowledged who he was. Master, they called Him. They may have heard about the miracles that Jesus had performed and maybe even one of his sermons. The leper had the faith that Jesus could heal him. With one statement, Go shew yourselves unto the priest, they went, unhealed. It wasn't until they followed His command that they received their healing. The leper had the faith to follow a command that was both illegal (in his current state) and illogical. The leper displayed the faith of a mustard seed knowing that Jesus could provide the healing that not man could.
The final point is one of anticipation. What if Jesus said to you, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole in Verse 19 provided to this leper a future. Because of his faith, he was made whole. The leprosy that had plagued him was gone. The isolation, loneliness, the fear were all gone. They were replaced with hope, a bright future, and a glorious reunion with family and friends. Can you imagine the celebration this once outcast man received when he returned home? What a testimony he had. I can just hear him saying, Jesus healed me, he made me whole. Do you know Him? You can, let me tell you what he did for me!
For some of us, 2023 was a year of loneliness, isolation, or fear. It may have brought grief, loss, or even times of anxiety. I experienced frustration, uncertainty, and rejection through last year. However, on page 2 of a new year, we can look back with gratitude for Him never leaving us, look around with faith because time and time again He has proven that He loves us more than any other creation, and look forward with anticipation for all the wonderful things He has in store for us in 2024.
Learn from the leper
C
This morning I read a short devotional from the National Office on Lessons from a Leper. With three simple points, the author revealed how we can enter 2024 on the right foot.
His three points are:
1. Look back with gratitude
2. Look around in faith
3. Look forward with anticipation
Each point, in my opinion, requires action on the lepers part. Verses 15-16 shows that out of the ten lepers healed, only one thanked Jesus for his healing. It may have taken him a moment to realize just exactly what he had received. Remember, leprosy was a lonely disease. It separated the individual from their family and friends. It was also a condemning disease. Those infected were given a death sentence, so to speak. However, when Jesus came by, He changed that. He gave hope, new life, and a glorious new outlook on what was once a bleak, meager existence. When this leper realized this, his first act was that of gratitude. He turned back and praised Jesus for his gift of life. I'm sure he had family and friends he wanted to share this with, but he took a moment to share his gratitude with the one who loved him so much that he gave him this wondrous gift.
The second point shows us that he looked around in faith. Verses 13-14 tells us they saw Jesus and acknowledged who he was. Master, they called Him. They may have heard about the miracles that Jesus had performed and maybe even one of his sermons. The leper had the faith that Jesus could heal him. With one statement, Go shew yourselves unto the priest, they went, unhealed. It wasn't until they followed His command that they received their healing. The leper had the faith to follow a command that was both illegal (in his current state) and illogical. The leper displayed the faith of a mustard seed knowing that Jesus could provide the healing that not man could.
The final point is one of anticipation. What if Jesus said to you, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole in Verse 19 provided to this leper a future. Because of his faith, he was made whole. The leprosy that had plagued him was gone. The isolation, loneliness, the fear were all gone. They were replaced with hope, a bright future, and a glorious reunion with family and friends. Can you imagine the celebration this once outcast man received when he returned home? What a testimony he had. I can just hear him saying, Jesus healed me, he made me whole. Do you know Him? You can, let me tell you what he did for me!
For some of us, 2023 was a year of loneliness, isolation, or fear. It may have brought grief, loss, or even times of anxiety. I experienced frustration, uncertainty, and rejection through last year. However, on page 2 of a new year, we can look back with gratitude for Him never leaving us, look around with faith because time and time again He has proven that He loves us more than any other creation, and look forward with anticipation for all the wonderful things He has in store for us in 2024.
Learn from the leper
C
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