Ten Lepers - Begins

Luke 17:11-13 Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!"

Have you ever had a long day and it seems like it's gotten even longer with everything you've had to deal with and your kids come running up to you with a problem? It doesn't matter whether it's big or small - it's something that child feels only you can handle - They can't wait another second and will keep bugging you until you answer them. On most days, it's an honor to be able to take care of their needs - but sometimes. . . . it's oh so tiring.

I wonder how Jesus felt. The distance from Samaria to Jerusalem was roughly 70 miles. He'd been walking this whole time and knew He had this much farther to go and then He hears the voice of men calling out to Him. I am so glad that Jesus is not like me. I am so glad He doesn't sigh when we come to him with our problems. I am so glad that He just longs to hear from us no matter what is going on anywhere else.

I've never had a serious health issue. I've been blessed with a healthy body and the determination to take care of it. However, a little over a year ago - my back went out. I don't know whether it was a pinched nerve or what - but the pain was intense. I was incapacitated. It lasted for almost a week and even after that I was afraid to do anything that might cause extra strain on my back for fear of the pain returning.

I truly can't imagine what these men who were crying out to Jesus were going through. Jesus was a glimpse of hope for these men who were suffering. They cried out to Him because they had heard of His healing power. They called Him, 'Master'. But He doesn't just heal the leper and the deaf and the blind and the dead - He heals us all. Not just physical suffering either. He heals our mental pain over working too hard and our emotional pain from betrayal and mistrust. All we have to do is cry out to the Master - there is power in the Name of the Lord.