Lessons on the Way

The disciples learned even when they didn’t know they were learning.  When we walk through life in relationship with God, we see with different eyes.  Our hearts beat a little different rhythm.  Our minds stretch.  Our hearts grow warmer.  And our hands and feet become tools for something greater than ourselves.  Most of the learning, I think, happened for them in retrospect, as it does for most of us.

One day Jesus and the disciples were on the way to Jerusalem from the Sea of Galilee area.  Here’s the story…

“As Jesus continued on toward Jerusalem, he reached the border between Galilee and Samaria.  As he entered a village there, ten lepers stood at a distance, crying out, ‘Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!’

     “He looked at them and said, ‘Go show yourselves to the priests.’ And as they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy.

     "One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, ‘Praise God!’ He fell to the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan.

     “Jesus asked, ‘Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?’ And Jesus said to the man, ‘Stand up and go. Your faith has healed you.’” (Luke 17:11-19 NLT)

Here are just a few things I think they learned – lessons on the way…

They were headed somewhere.  Jesus was incredibly intentional with his life, and those who joined him were, too.  When we are in relationship with God, we move through life with greater intent, because we know we are part of a greater story – we don’t want to miss out on anything, and we certainly don’t want to mess it up with negligence!  Where are you headed?  With whom are you headed?

They had time to help.  Jesus’ intentional living always allowed for surprises along the way.  Oh, how we need to embody this!  In our rushed existence, how often are we annoyed when a request comes for help because we feel like we don’t have time?  How much margin do you build into your life to allow for the unexpected?

They were increasingly, indiscriminately generous with love.  Lepers were condemned people.  They were forced to live apart from the larger community due to their supposed contagion.  The religious elite considered them to be cursed by God, and therefore showed little care – and often contempt – toward them.  But not Jesus.  The lens he looked through always and only saw people in need of restoration, which is the heart of what salvation is about.  What do you see when you gaze on others – especially those who are generally looked down upon in our culture?  Note: every culture looks down on certain people: the poor, foreigners, and people with certain diseases (currently HIV/AIDS).  Are you seeing through Jesus’ lens or a prescription lens that distorts how you see the world and its people?  How do you label yourself?  How do you label others?  How do both inhibit God’s love from flowing into your life and the lives of others?

They looked people in the eye.  Something changes in us when we see people as people and not just labels.  We identify with them.  We connect with them when eye contact is made.  Do you make eye contact with those who need help?

They discovered that it takes two to tango.  Faith without works is dead.  Dead faith does not deliver life.  The lepers got involved in their restoration first by having faith enough to call out for help.  Then, when Jesus told them to go and show themselves to the priest, they had faith enough to walk away from their isolated encampment toward the community that banished them – no small feat.  This critical lesson would be really important as the disciples had to follow suit in their own lives as the new movement of Jesus followers began to grow.  Are you in the dance with Jesus, or are you simply wanting God to do enough footwork for both of you?

They saw people celebrate their healing.  When God does God’s thing in people’s lives, celebration happens.  What is God doing in your life?  Are you celebrating?

They saw that focused gratitude yields blessing.  Without doubt, all ten lepers who received healing were grateful, but one of them took the opportunity to give credit where it was deserved.  The Samaritan leper thanked Jesus for the healing he received.  Jesus, in return, commended his action and his faith.  When we focus our gratitude toward God as our provider for every good thing, we strengthen our relationship with God, and we open up an opportunity for God to speak to us personally.  How often do you really, really offer thanks to God for the restorative work God has done in your life already, and for the final restoration you know is coming?

They learned that faith isn’t the same as religion.  Jesus commended the Samaritan’s faith.  But I highly doubt that he would have endorsed the Samaritan religion.  This is a provocative point: faith in God leads to restoration because God responds to faith.  This doesn’t mean we take an anything goes approach to theology, especially since we have gained so much in Christ.  But it does mean we join Jesus in affirming faith where it’s found.  Have you overly focused on religion when you could have been celebrating faith?

They learned there is plenty, not scarcity.  Jesus could have been selfish.  His big moment was just around the corner when he would endure unjust, horrific beating and crucifixion.  He could have told the lepers that he needed to reserve his strength for the days ahead.  But he didn’t.  The reason he didn’t was because he knew that the resources of grace from God are limitless, infinite, everlasting.  And he knew that sharing grace with others only added more grace in his life – it didn’t take away anything.  That’s a great truth about grace, and love, and peace, and all the fruits of the Spirit – the more we sow these into those around us, the more we experience ourselves.  Do you sometimes find yourselves stingy when it comes to extending grace to those around you?  Learn this great lesson that when you give of God, you receive more of God than you gave away.  Indeed, the antidote to being bankrupt of love is to love more, for then love will be returned tenfold in myriad ways.  Our relationship with God soars – and so does our life – when we love like God, because it allows that much more of God into our life.

What other lessons did the disciples learn that day?  What did I miss?  What hit you?  Make a comment and let’s learn together - more lessons on the way...