8/8/2023

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE READING:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Acknowledge Him in all your ways and He will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 2. 5-6)

“When He saw them, He said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.” (Luke 17.14)

TODAY’S REFLECTION ON GOD’S WORD:

I am sure you are not like me and never seek out shortcuts to get anywhere, right? Have you noticed the route that is taken which gets you to a destination faster often is filled with numerous turns? We call that “getting their straightway.” It is about avoiding slowdowns, roadblocks and interminable traffic lights. There is little about the route that would appear straight. It is, as they say, “straight as the crow flies.” For those who do not know how a crow flies, it is not a straight line. It is a zig-zag moving forward in a decided direction. It might be only a mile from one point to another for us as we would draw a line on a map with a ruler. It could well be like a Family Circus depiction of how the kid gets home from a friend’s house when his mother calls for dinner. But, back to our “short cut,” we still call it the straightest way because it requires the least amount of time to get from Point A to Point B. Do you think Jesus had this in mind or John the Baptizer or the Prophet Isaiah when they declared trusting in God would make the path straight for the collision with salvation as Point A meets Point B?

Luke shares a story about Jesus’ journey from Capernaum to Jerusalem. There were no superhighways from one to the other that shortened the trek. There was, however, a well-worn road used by man and beast to carry goods and to make the journey to Jerusalem during holy seasons and back home again. They did have turns along the way to avoid certain trouble areas where highway thieves would lie in wait or to come near some respite for water. In this particular travelogue description by Luke (he loved to refer to such journaling), Jesus and the disciples were traveling along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As they were entering the village, ten men appeared in the distance. They avoided the road itself because it was not “safe” for them. They had no fear of being robbed. The only possession they truly had was their own lives such as they were. You see, they were lepers. As lepers, they were outcasts, shunned by even their own families. They would have been considered “lost” to all those who knew them. For those familiar with the practice of “scapegoating,” these lepers might have easily represented what happens when one lives with unrepentant and unforgiven sin. Of course, we know that leprosy had nothing to do with sin (apart from the changes which happened to all humans due to original sin.) In that regard, those who dared to disassociate themselves would be equally guilty of sin themselves. Jesus would show them a far greater sin due to unforgiveness. That is another story.

In the exchange between Jesus and the lepers, we find the disciples were now the ones standing at a distance. Not so close as to be “infected,” but close enough to hear what was said. In their cry for pity with the hope of some kind of charity for sustenance (water, wine, grapes, figs, cheese, bread or maybe a cloak), Jesus gave them far more than they expected. His command was to stop wandering around as if they had no home and go into the village. There they were to show themselves to the priests. Nothing else was said but “Go.” We can infer Jesus meant “Straightway.” There was to be no delay, no detours, no hems or haws or dragging their feet. They were to go as Jesus said and do so quickly. What did they do? They did what Jesus said. Imagine that. Obedience of the sinful to the Word of God in Jesus the Christ was their response. They didn’t ask questions. They didn’t consider the cost. They simply went. Before anything happened, they made a “beeline” for the priest. As they went, all ten of the lepers were healed of their leprosy. What would happen when they get to the local priest? Obviously, healing was taken off the bucket list; at least physical healing. I have no doubt they would have confessed a myriad of sins believing those sins had brought on the malady.

But the story is not about the malady as much as it was the remedy. You see, nine of the ten who set out running to be restored to life with family, friends and community did so with the simple belief that obedience had effected the healing. Luke does not relate that their healing was taken away because they did not lay claim in thanksgiving to Jesus for the healing. Believing in one’s self is important. Believing that one’s works and efforts reap the harvest of eternal life is not taking the “straight and narrow road.” We know that we are saved by grace. We are not merely healed. We receive healing and thank God for it by divine measure or God working through those who use their skills and knowledge to benefit others. But, being healed does not equate with being saved. Salvation comes by believing in God, having faith that Jesus is the Christ and professing Him as the sole Lord and Savior of one’s life to follow Him all the days of our lives. The nine went straight to the priest. The priest would have verified their healing and accepted their confession. Then they would have gone straight home (or I would like to believe they went straight home and not stop off at the local “establishment” to celebrate.).

This was not the course which one of the ten took. His “straight” way to restoration caused Him to return to the source of the remedy itself and give thanks. Some would call it a detour because he stopped and went back before going forward. How could it be a detour when he went “straight” to the source and headlong into being fully healed? His return demonstrated an act of repentance which is essential to embracing a true thanksgiving. In fact, what the man did was exactly what Jesus said leaving the ten to determine for themselves the best course of action to fulfill the request. Nine went to “their” priest. One went to “the” priest. Jesus asked, “Weren’t ten made well? But, only one has come to give praise. Where are the other nine? Has no one but this one done what is required?” Then looking at the man, Jesus said “Go, your faith has made you well.” And the wellness experienced by the man was not his healing of leprosy because he already had that. He was healed in his heart, mind and soul. No earthly priest could do that. No, only Jesus as God’s only Son could. Jesus was making the path straight for the man. He was also laying the roadwork for the straight paths which the disciples would make as well for many others to come before Jesus and be made well, regardless of their physical and mental and social status.

TODAY’S PRAYER IN LIGHT OF GOD’S WORD:

Father, You have revealed Yourself to us best in Jesus the Christ. By Him and Him alone shall we gain the eternal life and our place in eternal rest, living for You always. Show us more and by Your Holy Spirit instruct us in the way we should go, the truth we should reveal and the life we shall live with you forever. In Jesus’ name, we pray. AMEN.