09/20/2011 – Archived Post from Salvation Soldier Blog
The Hopeless Lepers
Have you ever encountered a dilemma in which there seemed no hope of a way out? Or have you known someone who has been through a tragedy that sends them into a deep depression that seems too overwhelming to combat? Sometimes situations seem impossible to overcome. Life threatening disease, abuse and neglect, war and death, and many other things can sometimes cause people even to question God. How do we react as Christians? What do we do when hope seems impossible to find?
As imitators of Christ, we can be grateful to God that Jesus set the example of how to react in impossible situations. Jesus shone like a bright light in the darkness. Where there were impossibilities and hopelessness with men, Jesus brought hope and endless possibilities.
Luke 17:11-19 tells of an encounter Jesus had with ten Lepers. These Lepers lived hopeless lives. They were not allowed to live in community with the rest of Israel’s population because they had a contagious skin disease that led to death. Leviticus 13:45-46 tells how the lepers must wear torn clothes, have unkempt hair, shout to others that they are unclean, and live alone outside of the community. They lived alone, waiting to die. Their lives may have been considered hopeless and tragic. Then came Jesus.
Jesus was passing by 10 leprous men while he continued on His mission. He had been called by God to journey to Jerusalem and pay the ultimate price of death on a cross for the sins of the world. He would taste death and overcome it for the sake of every person who ever lived. Luke 17:11 tells us as he was passing by the borders of Samaria and Galilee, He was on His final journey. Yet Jesus was also living out Psalm 84:5-7. He was going from strength to strength on His way to Zion. Along the way it was like Jesus made dry places into flourishing springs, He brought hope to the hopeless.
When the 10 lepers ran into Jesus, they did it on the outskirts of town, shouting from a distance. Jesus did not have to sit and consider the situation. He told them to go to the priest and they’d be healed, and on their way before they got there, they were healed! For Jesus, the impossible simply did not exist.
How much credit do we give God? Do we believe he can do the impossible in the lives of those we interact with? Do we believe He can heal bodies, bring peace to nations, and change people’s hearts? Most importantly, do we trust Him to bring hope as we speak His word and pray? Luke 18:27 says: Jesus replied, ‘What is impossible with men is possible with God.’
Thank you Lord that no matter how dark this world can be, the hope of the eternal life You bring will get us through the darkest night.
Picture: Public Domain