This week’s scripture is Luke 17:11-19.
11Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 12As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. 13They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” 14When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed. 15One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. 17Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”
Jesus was out in the world, meeting people and ministering to them. This is the example He gave us, to be part of God’s creation, engaged with our brothers and sisters, aware of their issues and needs. It is no surprise that people came to Him to be comforted, healed and forgiven.
Jesus says we are to go and do likewise, sharing the truth of God’s love with the whole world. We may say “but Lord, we don’t have the gifts You have to do what You do”. Jesus knows our human limitations, but He calls us to use the gifts we have to make a difference.
Our call is to be like Jesus. Only He can be Lord and Savior, but we too are made in God’s image and given the ability to comfort, heal and forgive. We must obey the command He gave to love one another and make disciples of all the world.
Heavenly Father, we are thankful for Your gift of Jesus to show us how to live. Bless our work to be like Him, and to share the Good News always and everywhere. Amen.