Things change! I often say, “there are seasons for everything”. The problem is no one knows how long a season will be, good or bad. Certainly, this Covid pandemic has been a long one, perhaps will go on a bit even after vaccinations. When its over and we have survived, been healed, grieved our losses; will we remember to thank God for His mercy, wisdom, and provision? Or will we go right ahead without learning some lessons we could have learned; like ‘every person is precious’; ‘death touches every man’; ‘riches cannot save you’; ‘family really matters’; ‘we are a nation divided without God’; and so many other lessons. The ten lepers were likely nine of Jewish descent and one half-Jewish Samaritan. They travelled together because tragedy had united them. Only the Samaritan returned to thank Jesus for his healing. Why? What did the others miss? They went forward the way they had always been (before Covid / leprosy). They missed the most profound lesson, that the Son of God was amongst them. They went full steam ahead, putting their faith in the priests, the temple, the synagogue, etc., instead of the One whom God had sent. I wonder what lessons you are learning in this season? Please share.
While He was on the way to Jerusalem, He was passing between Samaria and Galilee. And as He entered a village, ten men with leprosy who stood at a distance met Him; and they raised 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 were going, they were cleansed. Now one of them, when he saw that he had been healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice, and he fell on his face at His feet, giving thanks to Him. And he was a Samaritan. But Jesus responded and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But the nine—where are they? Was no one found who returned to give glory to God, except this foreigner?” And He said to him, “Stand up and go; your faith has made you well.” Luke 17:11-19 NASB
What lessons have I learned during this pandemic? How has God grown my sense of compassion, appreciation for my family, friends, fellow Christians?
God, as this day begins- here in Riverside, California we are suffering high numbers of people at risk of dying. Please continue to intervene. Save many alive. Draw them toward Yourself. Answer the many prayers of their loved ones for healing. Please turn the number of ICU patients today… lower and lower each day. Show Your mighty power and compassion and love directly and through your humble servants. Amen.
