THE GRATEFUL LEPER
Read the story a few times slowly. Notice what emotions arise within you as you read it. If you find it helpful, journal about how the story makes you feel.
Luke 17:11-19 Living Bible (TLB)
11 As they continued onward toward Jerusalem, they reached the border between Galilee and Samaria, 12 and as they entered a village there, ten lepers stood at a distance, 13 crying out, “Jesus, sir, have mercy on us!”
14 He looked at them and said, “Go to the Jewish priest and show him that you are healed!” And as they were going, their leprosy disappeared.
15 One of them came back to Jesus, shouting, “Glory to God, I’m healed!” 16 He fell flat on the ground in front of Jesus, face downward in the dust, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a despised Samaritan.
17 Jesus asked, “Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the nine? 18 Does only this foreigner return to give glory to God?”
19 And Jesus said to the man, “Stand up and go; your faith has made you well.”
Read the poem below. Feel free to read it multiple times or even out loud if that helps.
On my face
In the dust
How did I get here?
I was healed
How was I healed?
I was traveling
In one direction
And met Jesus
On the way
He told me
To turn around
Towards
The home of
My enemy
And as I went
I was healed
It was there
On the road
Walking
Side-by-side
With those
I thought
Hated and
Despised me
That I found
My healing
In my joy
I turned again
Towards Jesus
I ran to Him
When I saw Him
I was undone
I fell down
Into the dust
On my face
I was
Unprotected
Unguarded
On my face
In the dust
My gratitude
Spilled
Into worship
Some might say
A posture of
Desolation
But for me
A posture of
Freedom
Of trust
In Jesus
And His companions
Those who
Were
My enemies
Now
Watch my back
As I surrender
At His feet
A voice says
Get up
But I cannot
Jesus gives
Permission
Compels me
To stay
Until the work
Of humility
Is done
Until joy
Is complete
Until worship
Blooms
Into praise
I encountered
Jesus
On the
In-between road
The border
Between His world
And mine
When He sent me
Away
In the opposite
Direction
Towards
My enemy
I found
Healing
I turned back
Towards Him
And found Him
Again
In the demilitarized zone
The space
Of peace
Of obscurity
Between peoples
And ideologies
Between me
And Him
Between my people
And His people
Between my beliefs
And His
Truths
I will
Dwell here
In the
Unclear
Undefined
Land
That belongs
To no one
To everyone
The space
Where people
Can meet from
Both sides
Where people
Feel safe
No matter
Which land
They come from
The space
Where Jesus is
On the margins
With the outcasts
The space
Where
Sick people dwell
Where
Healing begins
The place
Of unknowing
Take some time to reflect on the following questions.
Who is my enemy?
If I were to walk towards or with my enemy instead of away from them, what might that look like?
OR
How do I experience Jesus when I have changed direction in the past, seemingly against His command?
Am I currently facing a decision to change the direction of my life?
List the considerations that should go into play in that process.
OR
In what way do I feel like I am on my face in the dust right now?
Speak the words of joy and gratitude that you are experiencing in this posture of vulnerability.
Consider whether the experience of feeling undone is coming to completion.
What work of God needs to happen within me to complete it?
What are my expectations of what will happen when I get up?
End your time with silent prayer.
Allow the love of Jesus to flow over you.
Worship Him as best you can wherever you are in your relationship with Him.