The Ten Lepers (Luke 17:11-19)

On His way to Jerusalem,
Jesus came by Samaria and Galilee.
He was about to enter a village,
When a group of lepers a distance away stopped Him with their cries.
Lepers are outcast and lepers are unclean.
No one cares to go near to a leper,
No one dares.
Hence the “untouchables” gather together for comfort.
They must have heard about Jesus’ miracles;
They must have recognized Jesus.
They immediately asked for mercy as they are so accustomed to.
Please show me some pity!

“Go, show yourselves to the priests”?
Oh, surely they knew what that is for!
For they have dreamed and they have hoped
for the day when the priest would declare,
“Go, you are healed -
Clean, and fit to re-enter society.”
But why do I go, if I am not first cleansed?

But the miracle came only in the doing.
“As they went, they were cleansed.”
If they had not believed and obeyed Jesus,
they would not be healed.
Faith without deeds is dead.
They had faith,
they obeyed the instruction of Jesus,
they went forth,
and they were healed!

Happily, excitedly, off they went to the priests’ village,
Eager to be the first to be declared clean.
Anticipating the moment when they can be reunited with their loved ones.
They are cleansed!
What to do first other then celebrating this joyous event?
However, one turned back.
Even before he went to the priests,
this Samaritan turned back,
Praising God with the same loud voice he used when he was pleading for mercy.
He fell at Jesus’ feet and thanked Him with gratitude.
He knew God has made Him clean,
and he knew he ought to give all thanks and glory to God,
for only God had made this possible,
he couldn’t have done this on his own.

All ten lepers received physical healing
But there’s only one who received a soul healing that goes deeper within - something whole.
His healing drew him closer to God.
His gratitude had brought him home.

 
Questions for reflection:
1. Faith is shown in the doing. How have we been acting on God’s words?
2. A life of thanksgiving is a life of prayer - prayer first before anything else. Do we remember to stop and give thanks (with the same loud voice we used to make our requests) to the Lord who has blessed us?

Raising a widow’s son (Luke 7:11-17)

This miracle of Jesus raising a widow’s son is recorded only once in the Bible in Luke 7 and is probably the first recorded incident of Jesus raising a dead man to life. The other two incidents are the raising of Jairus’ daughter and the raising of Lazarus.

Why did Jesus have to perform the miracle of raising a dead man to life again?

Miracles lead us to know that Jesus Himself is God. Signs and wonders are done to draw us nearer to God. When something out of this world has happened, surely most of us would be curious to find out more.

In this incident of the raising of the widow’s son, we saw how this incident glorified the name of God, for who has power over life and death other than God Himself? There was two large crowds, one following Jesus and another following the widow, and hence the news about Jesus spread throughout the region.

In all three accounts of the dead being raised to life in the Bible, we see how Jesus took pity and had compassion on the weakness of man.

Miracles as a manifestation of God’s grace and mercy

Jesus came down to earth for one sole purpose - to preach the gospel of salvation and to die for the sins of all men so that we can be reconciled with God. Hence, in other words, Jesus need not perform signs and wonders.

He need not turn water into wine, He need not heal the sick, and He need not feed the people…. These are physical conditions, and if we say that we are a spiritual nation of God, why should we place so much emphasis on the physical? Jesus needs only to preach the gospel of salvation and to bear the sins of man on the cross. Anything more would be extra.

Jesus had compassion - giving back the most precious

In today’s passage, we see how the widow and the son must have been people with great character, attracting a large crowd from the city to accompany her as she sent her dead son on his way.

Anyone who has ever lost a loved one would probably agree with me that the separation by death is one of the most painful events in one’s life. Moreover, this was a widow who had lost her husband, and now she has lost her only son. She must have been weeping, with no words to express the pain in her heart.

Jesus saw her. And Jesus must have seen the pain in her heart and had compassion on her.

He came forth and touched the coffin and commanded the young man to arise.

Jesus need not have performed this miracle of raising the dead son to life, yet because He had compassion on the widow and understood her pain, He gave the son back to her.

Jesus took pity - doing the most impossible

Similarly, Jesus took pity on man’s weakness by allowing the people to witness this raising of the dead to life and see it as a testimony that He is the Son of God. Because we are still limited by flesh and blood, we are still guided by our sight and emotions. To help us in our faith, sometimes, Jesus has to show His nail-scarred hands before we would believe.

It is really amazing to know that our Lord is full of compassion and understands the weakness of man. He need not have performed the miracles, yet He did it for our sakes.

Think about it: In what areas of your life has God “raised the dead to life” because He had compassion or took pity on your weakness?

Riches (Luke 12:16-21)

In today’s parable regarding riches, we read about a rich fool who stored up for himself treasures on earth, thinking that he can eat, drink, and be merry henceforth; but God called him a fool because God is going to take his soul away that very night.

Are we such fools?

If God is going to take us away this very night, are we prepared? Or was much of our life’s pursuit on material possessions and wealth that we have not been laying treasures in heaven instead?

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. (Matthew 6:19-20)

It is human nature to want to acquire more and save more so that we may feel secure. I am beginning to realise that it may be even more so for brothers because of a certain sense of responsibility towards their family. It may not be that they do not have the necessary faith in God, but that they feel compelled to provide more and better for their loved ones.

I think that it is perfectly fine to want to save up for a better future, or for rainy days, but there are a few things to guard against.

1. Take heed and beware of covetousness (Luke 12:15)

Sometimes, in our pursuit of more wealth and more possessions in the world (initially out of a pure heart of providing more for loved ones), the sin of covetousness may creep into our heart and we find ourselves with an insatiable want for more.

How much, then, is enough? I really don’t know; I doubt anyone really knows. Probably that’s why Jesus taught us that no one can serve two masters - we cannot serve God and mammon (Matthew 6:24).

But the Bible tells us that godliness with contentment is great gain. (1 Timothy 6:6)

In Matthew 13:21-22, it also reminds us that the “deceitfulness of riches” can choke the word, causing the believer to become unfruitful.

Lately, as I began to gain more experience and expertise in my work, I find myself wanting to do more and more. I want to learn more, be trained more, and help more. Although this is not necessary a bad thing, I know that it has brought me further away from God. That initial love and thirst for God and His Word has vanished and I cannot recall what attracts me to want to study deeper into His Words. It was until the recent English Writers’ Retreat that I rediscover my love for His Word and remember how wonderful the Bible is again.

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Luke 12:34).

As we lay more and more treasures on earth (rather than in heaven), we will inevitably find our heart here also.

I guess, men are limited by space and time. There is only so much we can do and achieve in this life. Hence, what is it that you really want? Temporary, or eternal treasures?

2.  Do we trust riches or God?

It is interesting that in Mark 10:24, Jesus said, “Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God!” The emphasis on “trust in riches” here is not found in the other gospel books and is perhaps a good food for thought.

Do we really trust that God would provide?

And this ties in quite nicely with the last sentence of today’s parable,

“So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” (Luke 12:21)

The “rich” in this verse is a verb in the original language, suggesting to me that these people are doing a lot for themselves, but not doing much unto God. One who does not really trust that God would provide would likely try means and ways to secure his life.

The rich young ruler (Matthew 19:16-22) is probably one such example who trusted more in riches than in God, because he “went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.” He was not able to trust that God can give him much more.

Therefore, let us reflect upon ourselves whether we have been trusting in riches, rather than God, and whether we have unknowingly let covetousness creep in. (Which is why Jesus said it is hard for a rich man to enter heaven!) Remember that life does not consist in the abundance of the things one possesses, and that life is more than food, and the body more than clothing (Luke 12:15, 23) J

1 Timothy 6:17-19 sums up today’s sharing quite nicely,

Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share,  storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

Question for reflection: What are some ways we can be rich toward God?

Luke 6

"Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck that is in your brother's eye." (Luke 6:42b)

"For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. (Luke 6:45b)

We all have our own perspectives of things. These perspectives develop based on our own upbringing, our own experiences, and our own personality.

When perspectives stay around for too long, they no longer stay as mere perspectives; they become like truths to us. And so when we allow perspectives to hang around for too long, we forgot that they are only our own perspectives of things, not the universal truths about things. We forgot that we are probably the only ones who think of certain issues this way, not everyone.

When our perspectives become like truths to us, have we ever consider that this is the plank in our eye that the bible talks about?

Our own perspectives of things are like a certain conclusion that we made in our own heart regarding certain issues. And these form a platform as to how we view things. We say that there is a speck in our brother's eye. But perhaps it is because we cannot see clearly due to the plank in our eye.

Why not try removing that plank first? That is, removing our perspectives about certain things. We may argue that they are just harmless viewpoint that we hold, but like I have said earlier, the longer they linger in our hearts, the more we think about them, the more they become like little truths in our hearts.

Yet, the truth is they are merely our own biased viewpoints. And these will affect how we speak, or what we talk about. From our words, people will learn of our biased viewpoints. If they take the time to correct you, then blessed are you! If not, they might just depart from you.... Thank God I was blessed.

I have got to remove the plank in my eye first. I have to ask God to take away all previously-conceived perspectives about things - about the church, the people, the activities....

I have to learn to start afresh each day.

Perhaps then I will realise there is no speck at all in my brother's eye.

Luke 5

So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed. (Luke 5:16)

This happened when more and more people came to Jesus to hear Him and for healing. Jesus got busier and busier. Yet the Bible reminds us that the busier Jesus gets, the more time He found for prayer and communion with God.

This seems to be a direct contrast to how we deal with busy lives today. The busier we get, the less time we have for prayer. The busier we are, the less time we have for God.

We may be busy with our work on this earth. We may be busy with the many work in church. In Jesus' case in this verse, I think we can apply it to either situation.

Whatever we are busy with, the important thing is still to find time for deep communion with God.

What do we mean by deep communion?

Jesus went into the wilderness, away from the crowds.
He went there Himself, alone.
He did this often.
He prayed.

And this was how He could finish His work that was entrusted Him on earth. This was how He had the strength to drink the bitter cup. This was how He stayed true and focused to His task on earth right to the end.

Jesus won the victory because He had His quiet-time with God. Have you had your quiet-time with God today?

And no one, having drunk old wine, immediately desires new; for he says, 'The old is better.' (Luke 5:39)

NLT translates it this way: But no one who drinks the old wine seems to want the new wine. 'The old is just fine,' they say.

Interesting verse. I don't remember seeing it before!

The Pharisees and scribes were so used to their old ways that they were not willing to accept the "new wine", which really reflects how the human heart is like, isn't it?

How often are we not willing to come out of our comfort zone to try something new or different? We do not like to break away from our routines, even though at times we do complain about how boring it can get. Doing something we are not used to doing give us uncertainty, and it causes us to lose our authority and our control. The Pharisees didn't like this.

"The old is just fine." Sounds like someone who does not desire progress. This stagnation will become like stale water breeding mosquites! It can be quite deadly.

This seems to be the same attitude for truth-seekers who are just beginning to see the light. They are not readily accepting of the "new wine".

Which isn't a bad sign; it shows that they are truly studying the word of God. But in fact, it isn't a new wine at all! Jesus did not bring something new; He came to fulfill the Scriptures which the Pharisees held on to. And the gospel in the True Church isn't "new" too; it is a revival of the Apostolic Church and their teachings.

Jesus already knew this negative attitude of man more than 2000 years ago.

Let us take heed not to hold such attitude in our lives. While it is definitely good to be cautious about "new wine", let us never reject it immediately merely because we are avoiding the trouble and effort to try it. If we missed out on a good wine, then we have only ourselves to blame!

Luke 3 - 4

Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time. (Luke 4:13)

Until an opportune time. When will that be?
You won't know. And neither would I.

For the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. (1 Peter 5:8)

Which is why the Psalmist David prayed that God cleanse him of his secret faults (Psalm 19:12), sins which he probably did not even know he had committed.

So that he may be blameless before God.
So that the devil will not have a foothold on him, to stumble him.

Look at the verse again. When the devil had ended every temptation.

The devil will not stop until he had tried ways and means to make us fall. He is out to destroy us. This is the sole purpose he is here for and so he must be really good at it! Let's not underestimate him!

And he does not stop there. After trying ways and means to trip us, if he is unsuccessful, yes, he will leave..... but only until an opportune time, .... when he can come and stumble us again.

He will never stop trying to pull us into hell with him. So never think that we are strong, lest we fall (1 Corinthians 10:12)!

We can only rely on the mercy of God to bring us out of every trial unto eternal life (Jude 21).

Luke 2

But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. (Luke 2:19)
... but His mother kept all these things in her heart. (Luke 2:51)

I used to have a pressing need to address any issue or problem I might have at hand. It is in me somewhere to give the present issue an analysis and to come to a conclusion about something.

But I gradually learn that we cannot have an explanation for a lot of things. At least, not now. The time is not right yet.

Mary probably didn't understand many things regarding her son, Jesus, especially during His growing up years.

This was the son of my womb. But this was also the Child which was brought by the angel to do great things. And now, before my very eyes, He is doing and saying marvelous things that I don't really understand.

However, Mary did not discard all that she saw and heard. She kept them in her heart and pondered about them. And she continued to serve as a mother does, bringing up her child in the Lord.

There are many things that I do not understand presently. Based only on my own understanding, I cannot figure out why some good people suffer, why some zealous Christians can never accept the Truth, why some people's heart can change so fast, why some believers still do not receive the Holy Spirit even though they have been fervent both in prayers and in service, why are there division in the True Church,.......

I do not understand, but I know that the hand of the Lord is in it. And if that is so, there must be something good.

All things work together for good to those who love God. (Romans 8:28)

And these do not take my eyes away from my duty on earth, that is, to be a Christian and to serve my Lord.

But these will be kept somewhere in my heart, for these are the things that I am concerned about. When I do my quiet-time with my Lord, that is the time when I can ponder and ask God about them.

And at the right time, God will reveal, and let me know. :)

Luke 1

"For with God nothing will be impossible." (Luke 1:37)
"For He who is mighty has done great things for me." (Luke 1:49)

A virgin conceived and bore a son. Who would have thought of such a thing? Who would have imagined such a thing? Yet, by the power of the Holy Spirit, it came to pass.

How did Mary feel? What was her thoughts? Did she really believe she would give birth to a child after the angel Gabriel left?

We know that she really did. She indeed has great faith. Look at the way she responded.

"Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word." (1:38) And she also immediately arose to go to Elizabeth, into the hill country (1:39).

If she had not believe, she wouldn't have gone through that trouble.

Yes, she had her doubts. She asked, "How can this be...?" (1:34), but she humbly accepted the power of the Highest, and accepted her own status as a lowly maidservant of the Lord.

At the end of the day, she recognised how the Lord Almighty has done great things for her, even though she was just a lowly servant.

What about us today?
Have we considered the great things He has done for us?
Have we considered the great things He would have done on us if we have had the faith to believe in them?

Mary believed in that which most people would believed as impossible. She knew that with God, nothing is impossible.

What God has purpose, He will bring it to pass (Isaiah 14:24; 46:11).

"Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know." (Jeremiah 33:3)