How's Work?

S - Luke 17:14-19 (TLJ): "When Jesus saw the men, he said, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." While the ten men were going to the priests, they were healed. When one of them saw that he was healed, he went back to Jesus. He praised God loudly. He bowed at Jesus' feet and thanked him. (He was a Samaritan). Jesus said, "Ten men were healed; where are the other nine? This man is not even one of our people. Is he the only one who came back to give praise to God?" Then Jesus said to the man, "Stand up! You can go. You were healed because you believed.""

O - Jesus identified only one factor in the healing of all ten -- "because you believed."  Their belief was a motivator for their request, their starting out to show themselves to the priests and the beautiful discovery of their healed bodies.  Faith, not pedigree, theological acumen, religious standing or personal disciplines was and is the focus.  Faith is essential not in volume but in focus (Jesus) and consistency (from first to last).  Jesus' coaching of Jairus is applicable for us all "Don't be afraid, merely believe."

A - There are many fears and many sources for fear.  Faith has one source (God's grace - Ephesians 2:8-9) and one focus (Jesus - John 6:28-29). Mustard seed sized faith pleases God and makes all things possible to the one believing.  When fears are hounding and howling … faith is work.  When circumstances challenge and my expectations of how things should be going disintegrate faith is work. The ten lepers worked through it all and received.  One returned to give thanks and an affirmation which would inspire him forever.  Today, I get to do the work of believing according to grace … and everything becomes possible (I can hear Snow White's seven friends singing in the background…).

P - Jesus,

Thank you that my/our primary work is generated according to grace and focused exclusively on your person so that every day all things would stay possible for those who believe.  Lord, I believe … help my unbelief.  Thank you that successful faith is not about volume but your person; it is not about getting but following your directions all the way through.  Today, I want to please you by faith and love you back by following.  Today I ask for new wineskins, mulberry trees in the ocean and that which is too wonderful for me.

All my love,

Steve