INFECTED

Tuesday, March 17, 2020

Scripture

Luke 17:11-19

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!” When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.

One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”

Comments & Reflections

It goes without saying that the current pandemic is wreaking havoc on our society. Suddenly we are being told to isolate ourselves for coming weeks…and yes, maybe longer. But if we think the fallout of the coronavirus is bad, know that in ancient times the diagnosis of leprosy, and the stigma that accompanied it, was far worse. It meant a lifetime of being an outcast from society.

In this story, Jesus miraculously heals 10 men who are suffering from the disease, but only one returns to give thanks. Ironically, he was already an outcast in Jewish society by the fact that he was a Samaritan. We don’t know the reason why the other 9 didn’t return, and quite frankly, whatever their reasons, they wouldn’t suffice.

I think we can take a lesson from that in our current situation. Fear of the unknown and the sense loss can dominate our thoughts, which divert us from a posture of thankfulness that we eternal life with Jesus in the first place. I’m not trying to downplay the anxiety and frustration we will undoubtedly feel in the comings weeks and months. This is an event that will definitely leave a mark on our society, and living through it is never pleasant. But it is in these times of trial where the depth of our faith is tested. It is in these moments we forget our life saving healing (salvation) and don’t return to God with praises.

Recently we talked about the biblical definition of temptation: choosing whether or not to be faithful. We saw it in action when Jesus was led out into the desert for 40 days. It was 40 days of isolation far worse than social distancing. It was 40 days of fasting worse than empty grocery store shelves. His faith was tested and he had every invitation and excuse to give in to unfaithfulness…but he didn’t. He chose to be faithful because of his love and trust in God the Father. He chose to be faithful in the face of fear and isolation so we can’t stand before him and say: “You don’t know what it is like [fill in the blank.]” 

I’d feel pretty silly if I filled in that blank with how the current situation is tempting me to lose faith. So let’s start today with thanksgiving; and in these ongoing days of uncertainty…Keep the Faith!

Prayer

Lord Jesus, calm our fears and remove our anxieties. Let us remember the words you gave to your disciples…and to us. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27) Amen.