Break Out of the Box

“On his way to Jerusalem Jesus passed through the border region between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered one village, ten men approached him, but they kept their distance, for they were lepers. They shouted to him, “Mighty Lord, our wonderful Master! Won’t you have mercy on us and heal us?”

When Jesus stopped to look at them, he spoke these words: “Go to be examined by the Jewish priests.”

They set off, and they were healed while walking along the way. One of them, a Samaritan, when he discovered that he was completely healed, turned back to find Jesus, shouting out joyous praises and glorifying God. When he found Jesus, he fell down at his feet and thanked him over and over, saying to him, “You are the Messiah.” Luke 17

The passage of Jesus healing the ten lepers has so many truths hidden that we will explore for the rest of the week. Let’s start with the beginning. Jesus is traveling and comes upon ten men who have leprosy. This is a terrible skin disease that causes great harm to your body. People who had this disease were not allowed to be around anyone else. They were considered unclean. They had to be in a community with only people who had leprosy. Think of the loneliness they must feel. How long had it been since they had a hug? Or seen their families. They weren’t able to go to the synagogue to worship Yahweh.

As they approach Jesus, they knew He was the one who could heal them. They identified Him as Mighty Lord, wonderful Master. The Greek word here for Master denotes one with supernatural authority and power. They knew who He was. They shouted, “Have mercy on us and heal us.” This is where you put your thinking cap on. They are standing in front of who they know to be the One with ALL AUTHORITY AND POWER. Jesus responds, “Go be examined by the Jewish priests.” At this moment, they still have leprosy. As they turn to begin walking away doing what Jesus told them to do, they are healed.

One realized I am healed, and I don’t need the priest to tell me who or what I am. I need the Man who I just encountered. He ran back to Jesus singing and shouting praises. He was glorifying Yahweh. This man was a Samaritan. They did not worship Yahweh. When he found Jesus, he fell at His feet thanking Him over and over.

Which one are you? One who seeks the approval of religious leaders to identify you and determine whether or not your good enough to be a part of what they are doing. Or the one who has been radically changed by Jesus and all you want to do is sit at His feet and worship Him

Why would Jesus tell them to go be examined? He knew what they wanted. They wanted to do what they have always done. The nine had a word from the Lord to stand on. He told us to do this. There are a lot of people finding a word to stand on in the scriptures but will not sit at His feet to hear His voice in the matter. We see people doing things “for God” but their marriage is falling apart, their kids don’t want to be around them, their entire life is crumbling but they are standing on a word. Sadly, most will say this is an attack from the enemy, but Jesus never asked you specifically to do it. Be careful wanting His principals more than you want Him.

The motive of the heart matters in every situation. It has to be about the feet of Jesus. We find wisdom and revelation at His feet. Wisdom that will change our families, our neighbors, our city, state and nation. It is absolutely possible to see this transformation from a seated place of rest at His feet.

“So go ahead, everyone, and shout out your praises with joy! Break out of the box and let loose with the most joyous sound of praise!” Psalm 98