The Ten Lepers and the Second Coming
I probably should put a little more effort into my teaser line, but ….eh. I’m feeling lazy.
As I was reading the account of the 10 lepers I noticed that all ten were healed as they went to show themselves to the priests. That’s in verse 14. But then Jesus pronounces healing over a single man (a Samaritan, no less) who returned to thank and praise him. Since the leprous man was already healed of his leprosy, this second proclamation has healed him of a far greater illness, that of sin. In returning to give thanks and acknowledging Jesus as worthy of praise, the leprous man has now be adopted into Christ’s family. He is not only free from disease, he is a new creation.
While I am happy for him, I cannot help but be sad for the other 9. At the same moment the Samaritan man was being welcomed into the family of God, they were celebrating their good fortune without realizing how much they had lost.
Oh, the worthlessness of being healed without being forgiven! What possible benefit is there in being freed from sickness, or poverty or even isolation if we remain in our sins. It’s nothing more than putting off inevitable doom for a few short years….and who could even celebrate, knowing such a fate awaited them?
On the other hand, how wonderful to know that despite whatever circumstances this life may hold, they are all only temporary, soon to be replaced by eternity in heaven with Jesus. Knowing this make it easier to celebrate release from pain, and all of the other benefits that God bestows upon us. My future is secure with Christ, which releases me from worry, and allows me to enjoy the blessings of today!
The second coming of Christ has always been an intriguing topic for Christians. I think we want to know because we want to be ready, in the event it happens in our lifetime. I certainly would want to know if it were going to happen in the next 25 years, or 10…or 5. And yet, there doesn’t seem to be nearly the interest in serving God and preparing to meet him in our everyday lives. Even though (try and imagine this) many of us don’t have 25 years left. No one truly knows how many years they will remain, but all of us can be sure that number is usually under 100, and for most it’s under 90 even if we are fortunate. Knowing that, you would think we would recognize our proximity to heaven, and begin to increase our desire for Christ…but it doesn’t always happen.
I think Jesus points out something to us here: Life will continue on as it always has, with people being lulled into apathy by the routine of life, keeping them unaware that the end is rapidly approaching.
Let’s not allow that to be our case. Let’s worship and praise and thank the Lord for all that He is doing while the opportunity exists!
Be blessed today!
PR