Luke 17:11-19 (NRSV)
Read Luke 17:11-19 on biblegateway.com
Verse 11On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. Verse 12As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, Verse 13they called out, saying, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!" Verse 14When he saw them, he said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were made clean. Verse 15Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. Verse 16He prostrated himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. Verse 17Then Jesus asked, "Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? Verse 18Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" Verse 19Then he said to him, "Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well."
Devotion
The ten lepers kept their distance and with hope-filled voices cascade the words, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” Jesus speaks and within his voice healing swirls forth settling into the lives of the ten. God has acted, indeed. Their lives cannot be the same now that they have had an encounter with the Holy One.
But one of the ten sees more than the activity of God delivered by this holy man. He sees Jesus being the activity of God, the activity and word of God incarnate. He returns to express his gratitude and worship the gracious, mercy-filled God of all creation.
The Almighty’s mercy and grace and healing have been unleashed into this world and still swirl around us this very day. It knows no boundaries and will not be stopped until all are healed. Thanks be to God.
Prayer
Gracious Lord, may I be an instrument of your word in order that your healing continues to swirl in the environments I visit this day. Amen.