Thursday Devotion: Luke 17:11-19

What do you we focus on?

What is the important part?

Where do we look for answers?

All of these questions and more are poignant when dealing with this week's text.

Just like in life we have to pick and choose were our eyes focus in order to make sense of all that is happening around us at any given moment. There are future plans, past mistakes, current transgressions--always there, always seeking our attention.

In the parable of the 10 lepers we have similar grabs for our attention: we have Jesus walking, lepers calling for healing, a faith healing, priests, and a Samaritan praising Jesus for healing him. However, what's the important piece? Where are we supposed to look? What is God trying to tell us? Where is the good news?

At first glance I was struck with the idea that sometimes we just have to get out of the way. We have to step aside and let the power of God do its work in our life. The leper was healed by his faith, he got out of the way and let the power of Jesus be enough. He didn't need the outside opinion of the priests to confirm the miracle that was the healing power of Jesus. His faith was enough, and it was probably the size of a mustard seed.

So, what's the important part? Where are we supposed to look?

Everything.

Everywhere.

God is always working. God is everywhere. God doesn't need us, but we need God.

In order for the power to work, sometimes we just have to get out of the way.

Let it be so!

Luke 17:11-19 (NIV)

¹¹ Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. ¹² As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy^[a] met him. They stood at a distance ¹³ and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”
¹⁴ When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.
¹⁵ One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. ¹⁶ He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.
¹⁷ Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? ¹⁸ Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” ¹⁹ Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”