DO YOU WANT TEMPORARY HELP OR ETERNAL DELIVERANCE?

 

The study of those who followed Jesus on earth is telling. For in the historical accounts, we have the representatives of us all. Consider ten lepers.

A QUICK FIX

Leprosy was one of the deadliest diseases in Jesus’ day. It was a death sentence, not only physically, but socially. Isolated from all others except other lepers, you were doomed to a slow, lonely death.

It’s easy to see why ten lepers came to Jesus one day seeking healing, for they had heard of what He’d done.

While traveling to Jerusalem, he passed between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten men with leprosy^, met him. They stood at a distance and raised their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” When he saw them, he told them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And while they were going, they were cleansed.  (Lk 17:11–14)

As they responded to Jesus’ call to believe Him and turned to go to the temple (a step they would have done had they been healed), “as they were going, they were cleansed.” It was a glorious miracle that would change the remaining years of their lives!

TOTALLY SALVATION

But there was one leper who received more. He was a Samaritan, who was not regarded by most of those who lived in Israel. He was so moved by what Christ had done that He turned around and came back. This turning indicated a faith in Christ, not as just a healer, but as the Messiah. His healing had convinced him that this was the One they’d waited for all their lives.

The result of his faith?

But one of them, seeing that he was healed, returned and, with a loud voice, gave glory to God. He fell facedown at his feet, thanking him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus said, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Didn’t any return to give glory to God except this foreigner?” And he told him, “Get up and go on your way. Your faith has saved you.” (Lk 17:15–19)

His was not merely momentary healing, but eternal healing that cured beyond the skin. His whole life was cleansed, and the results would last for eternity.

WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM GOD?

Most people are like the nine, not just in their lack of gratitude, but in their shortsightedness regarding the Messiah. They’re satisfied with a miracle or two, a temporary fix for their financial or physical problems is fine, thank you. The former are satisfied as long as Jesus is feeding them with a few loaves and fish, but turn away otherwise. But the true believers are there forever, for they have come to trust and follow and glorify the Savior.

But only those who turn and “fall face down at His feet” in faith, looking to Him as the Savior—as their Savior—will find the ultimate cure for everything—body, soul, and spirit.

This describes the two stark divisions in most churches … those who are using Jesus for a little help or falling before Him in total surrender.

It's time to evaluate your faith. Why are you coming to Jesus? Are you settling for mere miracles when you could be born again to eternal life?