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Dear Heavenly Father, Praise Jesus said, “Will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily” (Luke 18:7–8). I praise you today as the God who hears the cries of your people and gives them the justice they desire. Praise the Lord! Today in Your Word Today you told me how Jesus healed ten lepers in a border town between Galilee and Samaria. Several things stood out to me: 1) The racial and social barriers between Jews and Samaritans had been set aside because of the affliction the lepers shared. This reminds me that everyone is equal at the foot of the cross, for we all need Jesus’ cleansing touch; 2) Jesus didn’t heal the lepers and then send them to the priest. Instead, he told them to go, and “as they went they were cleansed.” His command carried the implication that they would be healed, but they had to believe and act before they were cured. This shows me that true faith takes action in obedience to your Word; 3) Only a Samaritan, a “foreigner,” returned to give thanks and praise to you. The other lepers were glad for the gift, but they did not value the giver. This teaches me that a grateful heart comes from recognizing how unworthy I am and how worthy you are. After the healing, the Pharisees asked Jesus when the Kingdom of God was coming. They couldn’t understand that the Kingdom had already come, for the King was standing in their midst. His Kingdom was first and foremost a spiritual Kingdom, and although one day it would be established on earth, that day was in the distant future (Luke 17:22). Jesus then told his disciples that the world would seem perfectly normal before he returned in judgment. They should “Remember Lot’s wife,” for if they weren’t prepared to leave, they would be “taken” by death (Luke 17:37). The idea of a long delay before his return formed the backdrop of Jesus’ next parable. He told his followers that “they ought always to pray and not lose heart.” Jesus knew it would be easy for them to be discouraged as they waited for his coming, and he wanted them to know that you are not like the unrighteous judge. You are not slow concerning your promise, but are patient, not wishing that any should perish (2 Pet 3:9). Justice will come exactly when it should, and from the perspective of eternity, it will be very swift indeed! When he reached Judea, the Pharisees tested Jesus by asking him about divorce. His response teaches me that: a) Genesis is a record of actual historical events; b) Adam and Eve were a real man and woman; c) You designed marriage to be the union of one man and one woman—they become “one flesh”; d) Marriage is meant to last for life; e) Certain sins have the devastating ability to shatter a marriage; f) Divorce is a last resort, and it must never be done lightly or without explicit grounds; g) Moses’ law concerning divorce was meant to protect women, not to give men an excuse to satisfy their flesh. Reflection It’s easy to condemn the Pharisee at the temple for his self-righteous attitude, but every time I justify my actions by comparing myself to others, I’m standing right there with him, exalting myself in pride. Request Father, give me the attitude of the tax collector. Remind me that I can do nothing without you. Impress on my heart each day that everything I am or ever will be is because of your mercy and grace. Thanksgiving Thank you for being merciful to me when I was lost in sin! I join with the Samaritan leper in glorifying you and giving thanks with all my heart. Glory to the Lamb! In Jesus’ name, Amen. Suggested Hymn: “ Keep Praying, Toiling On” — J. T. Latta. Meditation Verse: Luke 18:14. |