1 00:00:00,409 --> 00:00:04,230 Speaker 1: Then he said to him, Rise and go. Your faith 2 00:00:04,290 --> 00:00:11,129 Speaker 1: has made you well. Luke 17, 19 Heavenly Father, we 3 00:00:11,170 --> 00:00:16,389 Speaker 1: declare our faith in your unmatched power to restore. In 4 00:00:16,410 --> 00:00:20,650 Speaker 1: a world where shame, sin, insecurity, and a sense of 5 00:00:20,730 --> 00:00:25,550 Speaker 1: purposelessness can so easily overwhelm us, we look to you 6 00:00:25,650 --> 00:00:30,650 Speaker 1: as our source of renewal and strength. You alone can 7 00:00:30,710 --> 00:00:34,090 Speaker 1: lift the weight of our burdens, cleanse us from our sins, 8 00:00:35,150 --> 00:00:39,150 Speaker 1: and mend the broken pieces of our lives. We ask that, 9 00:00:39,590 --> 00:00:43,350 Speaker 1: by our faith in you, we would experience the fullness 10 00:00:43,390 --> 00:00:48,750 Speaker 1: of your restoration, heal our hearts from shame, wash us 11 00:00:48,830 --> 00:00:55,580 Speaker 1: clean from sin, fortify our spirits against insecurity, and illuminate 12 00:00:55,670 --> 00:01:00,680 Speaker 1: our paths with your purpose. May our lives be a 13 00:01:00,740 --> 00:01:06,419 Speaker 1: testimony to your redeeming love and power, inspiring others to 14 00:01:06,500 --> 00:01:11,119 Speaker 1: seek you for the restoration they need. Help us to 15 00:01:11,180 --> 00:01:16,420 Speaker 1: walk in the confidence of your promises, assured that our 16 00:01:16,530 --> 00:01:20,510 Speaker 1: faith in you opens the door to a life renewed. 17 00:01:22,410 --> 00:01:23,709 Speaker 1: In Jesus' name we pray. 18 00:01:25,310 --> 00:01:25,550 Speaker 2: Amen. 19 00:01:27,840 --> 00:01:31,380 Speaker 1: Thank you for praying with me today. You're listening to 20 00:01:31,420 --> 00:01:35,679 Speaker 1: the Jesus Podcast. Remain here to be immersed in the 21 00:01:35,760 --> 00:01:40,630 Speaker 1: heartwarming story of the ten lepers. If you're looking for 22 00:01:40,670 --> 00:01:43,750 Speaker 1: a way to support this podcast, you can do so 23 00:01:44,069 --> 00:01:47,430 Speaker 1: by following, leave a review, and share with a friend. 24 00:01:48,570 --> 00:01:53,890 Speaker 1: Thanks for making the mission possible. Jesus and his disciples 25 00:01:54,030 --> 00:01:58,750 Speaker 1: walked the long, dry road to Jerusalem. passing between Samaria 26 00:01:59,030 --> 00:02:03,230 Speaker 1: and Galilee. The sun hung in the middle of the sky. 27 00:02:04,390 --> 00:02:07,110 Speaker 1: There were no trees to give them shade. There was 28 00:02:07,150 --> 00:02:11,170 Speaker 1: no breeze to blow some of the heat away. Sweat 29 00:02:11,250 --> 00:02:14,049 Speaker 1: dripping down their legs as they dragged their feet through 30 00:02:14,090 --> 00:02:19,490 Speaker 1: the dust. No one lived in these arid places, these 31 00:02:19,610 --> 00:02:25,070 Speaker 1: desolate roads between two opposing cities. The sky stretched over 32 00:02:25,110 --> 00:02:28,810 Speaker 1: the valley for miles in every direction Cutting through the 33 00:02:28,850 --> 00:02:32,730 Speaker 1: land was a singular road, the one road they had 34 00:02:32,790 --> 00:02:36,660 Speaker 1: to stay on for days. Peter didn't mind the travel. 35 00:02:37,520 --> 00:02:40,400 Speaker 1: There were no crowds to tame on these forsaken roads. 36 00:02:41,720 --> 00:02:46,180 Speaker 1: The people from Judea wouldn't dare travel near Samaria, and 37 00:02:46,200 --> 00:02:51,070 Speaker 1: the folks from Samaria wouldn't dare travel near Judea. Peter 38 00:02:51,130 --> 00:02:54,530 Speaker 1: drew in the hot air and sighed. Although the heat 39 00:02:54,610 --> 00:02:59,160 Speaker 1: was miserable, he enjoyed a break in the madness. At 40 00:02:59,200 --> 00:03:02,940 Speaker 1: least here, there was space to breathe. James and John 41 00:03:03,000 --> 00:03:06,269 Speaker 1: were a few paces behind Jesus, fighting for the place 42 00:03:06,310 --> 00:03:11,450 Speaker 1: directly behind him. James nudged John, causing John to shove James. 43 00:03:12,650 --> 00:03:16,030 Speaker 1: As John pushed, he slipped and stumbled into the dirt. 44 00:03:17,070 --> 00:03:20,639 Speaker 1: James and the other disciples laughed, helping John onto his feet. 45 00:03:22,020 --> 00:03:24,780 Speaker 1: Jesus grinned and wiped some of the sweat off his brow. 46 00:03:25,180 --> 00:03:28,090 Speaker 3: We are stumbled by many things, John. But woe to 47 00:03:28,210 --> 00:03:29,970 Speaker 3: anyone who causes others to stumble. 48 00:03:30,280 --> 00:03:32,899 Speaker 1: The disciples looked at each other, their faces a mix 49 00:03:32,940 --> 00:03:38,100 Speaker 1: of concern and curiosity. John scratched his head and. 50 00:03:38,060 --> 00:03:41,280 Speaker 4: Asked, Lord, what do you mean by stumble? And why 51 00:03:41,340 --> 00:03:43,450 Speaker 4: such a harsh fate for someone who causes it? 52 00:03:43,900 --> 00:03:46,680 Speaker 1: Jesus took John under his arm and wiped some dust 53 00:03:46,740 --> 00:03:50,730 Speaker 1: off his shoulders. He ruffled his hair with fatherly affection 54 00:03:51,190 --> 00:03:51,510 Speaker 1: and said. 55 00:03:52,470 --> 00:03:54,589 Speaker 3: To stumble someone is to lead them astray. 56 00:03:54,610 --> 00:03:55,369 Speaker 5: Be vigilant. 57 00:03:55,390 --> 00:03:59,920 Speaker 3: Be vigilant. And observe yourselves very carefully, especially when you 58 00:03:59,960 --> 00:04:02,640 Speaker 3: speak to little ones or those who are new to 59 00:04:02,660 --> 00:04:03,120 Speaker 3: the faith. 60 00:04:03,720 --> 00:04:07,380 Speaker 2: So, we have to watch ourselves. But what about others? 61 00:04:08,260 --> 00:04:10,950 Speaker 2: What if we are the victims? How do we deal 62 00:04:10,990 --> 00:04:12,730 Speaker 2: with those people who've stumbled us? 63 00:04:13,170 --> 00:04:17,370 Speaker 3: You mustn't withhold a rebuke. It is for their good. Then, 64 00:04:17,390 --> 00:04:21,909 Speaker 3: if they repent, you must forgive them. Do not withhold 65 00:04:21,970 --> 00:04:22,490 Speaker 3: that either. 66 00:04:22,890 --> 00:04:27,350 Speaker 4: But Master, what if they keep sinning against us? How 67 00:04:27,529 --> 00:04:28,810 Speaker 4: often do we have to forgive? 68 00:04:29,490 --> 00:04:30,669 Speaker 1: Jesus smiled softly. 69 00:04:31,050 --> 00:04:33,950 Speaker 3: We've spoken about this, haven't we? Even if they sin 70 00:04:34,010 --> 00:04:37,080 Speaker 3: against you seven times in a single day, if they 71 00:04:37,140 --> 00:04:40,960 Speaker 3: come back seven times saying, I repent, you must forgive them. 72 00:04:41,380 --> 00:04:46,479 Speaker 1: The disciples exchanged looks of astonishment and bewilderment. It all 73 00:04:46,540 --> 00:04:52,390 Speaker 1: seemed so difficult, nearly impossible. To be more forgiving than 74 00:04:52,430 --> 00:04:56,610 Speaker 1: the average person is one thing, but always forgiving others... 75 00:04:57,160 --> 00:05:03,880 Speaker 1: seemed impossible. John glanced at his brother with remorse. James 76 00:05:03,920 --> 00:05:08,420 Speaker 1: smiled and nodded his head in recognition. John turned back 77 00:05:08,460 --> 00:05:09,400 Speaker 1: to Jesus. 78 00:05:09,060 --> 00:05:11,870 Speaker 3: And said, Lord, increase our faith. 79 00:05:12,470 --> 00:05:17,289 Speaker 1: Jesus' face curled up in joy at the request. Faith 80 00:05:17,350 --> 00:05:21,210 Speaker 1: would be the thing they needed to press forward. They 81 00:05:21,230 --> 00:05:26,890 Speaker 1: passed by a few small trees. Jesus gestured to one saying, Faith. 82 00:05:26,810 --> 00:05:30,310 Speaker 3: Increases on its own, John. If you have faith as 83 00:05:30,390 --> 00:05:33,700 Speaker 3: small as a mustard seed, you can tell this mulberry 84 00:05:33,740 --> 00:05:37,580 Speaker 3: tree be uprooted and planted in the sea, and it 85 00:05:37,600 --> 00:05:38,520 Speaker 3: will obey you. 86 00:05:39,000 --> 00:05:43,030 Speaker 2: You're talking about greatness in God's kingdom, right, Jesus? You're 87 00:05:43,070 --> 00:05:46,330 Speaker 2: talking about a faith that gets us approval from the Lord. 88 00:05:46,830 --> 00:05:47,970 Speaker 1: Jesus tilted his head. 89 00:05:48,490 --> 00:05:52,109 Speaker 3: Not quite, James. You think too much in terms of 90 00:05:52,490 --> 00:05:56,060 Speaker 3: recognition for your work. Suppose a master had a servant 91 00:05:56,130 --> 00:05:59,120 Speaker 3: plowing or looking after his sheep. Will he say to 92 00:05:59,160 --> 00:06:01,700 Speaker 3: the servant when he comes in from the field, Come, 93 00:06:01,760 --> 00:06:03,940 Speaker 3: my friend, come along now and sit down to eat? 94 00:06:04,460 --> 00:06:07,230 Speaker 1: The disciples listened, intrigued by the question. 95 00:06:07,630 --> 00:06:10,890 Speaker 3: Wouldn't the master say, Prepare my supper, get yourself ready 96 00:06:10,930 --> 00:06:13,680 Speaker 3: and wait on me while I eat and drink? After that, 97 00:06:14,040 --> 00:06:16,859 Speaker 3: you may eat and drink. Does a master really thank 98 00:06:16,920 --> 00:06:18,740 Speaker 3: the servant because he did what he was told? 99 00:06:19,400 --> 00:06:22,560 Speaker 1: Jesus held up a finger and told them sternly, So 100 00:06:22,610 --> 00:06:23,630 Speaker 1: you also, when you. 101 00:06:23,580 --> 00:06:26,870 Speaker 3: Have done everything you were told to do, you should say, 102 00:06:27,330 --> 00:06:30,950 Speaker 3: We are unworthy servants. We have only done our duty. 103 00:06:31,610 --> 00:06:34,669 Speaker 3: You are servants of the Lord, and you should always 104 00:06:34,730 --> 00:06:35,310 Speaker 3: be willing to. 105 00:06:35,730 --> 00:06:38,530 Speaker 1: Jesus' lesson was interrupted by a shout in the distance. 106 00:06:40,010 --> 00:06:44,630 Speaker 1: The disciples peered into the distance. A brown blur formed there. 107 00:06:45,140 --> 00:06:48,260 Speaker 1: at the edge of the turquoise sky, a line of 108 00:06:48,370 --> 00:06:53,010 Speaker 1: several men hobbling forward. As they continued down the road, 109 00:06:53,070 --> 00:06:57,270 Speaker 1: the line of men grew larger and closer. They flapped 110 00:06:57,290 --> 00:07:01,539 Speaker 1: their arms wildly in the air. They limped too much 111 00:07:01,630 --> 00:07:06,700 Speaker 1: to be bandits. They carried no supplies, so they weren't merchants. 112 00:07:08,220 --> 00:07:11,260 Speaker 1: Everyone tensed when the group of men hobbled closer into view. 113 00:07:12,280 --> 00:07:13,820 Speaker 1: John gulped at the sight of them. 114 00:07:14,260 --> 00:07:15,850 Speaker 3: It's It's lepers. 115 00:07:18,730 --> 00:07:20,770 Speaker 5: What would be the first thing you did if your 116 00:07:20,920 --> 00:07:25,260 Speaker 5: biggest problem in life suddenly vanished? Through the cross, Jesus 117 00:07:25,300 --> 00:07:28,540 Speaker 5: has caused our biggest problem in our lives, sin, to 118 00:07:28,560 --> 00:07:31,540 Speaker 5: be wiped away. And the life that follows is rooted 119 00:07:31,640 --> 00:07:33,900 Speaker 5: in a heart of gratitude that should cause us to 120 00:07:33,940 --> 00:07:37,420 Speaker 5: praise God. Galatians 2.20 says this, I have been crucified 121 00:07:37,460 --> 00:07:39,730 Speaker 5: with Christ, and it's no longer I who live, but 122 00:07:39,790 --> 00:07:41,950 Speaker 5: Christ who lives in me. The life I now live 123 00:07:41,990 --> 00:07:43,790 Speaker 5: in the body, I live by faith in the Son 124 00:07:43,810 --> 00:07:46,500 Speaker 5: of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 125 00:07:47,040 --> 00:07:50,320 Speaker 5: Welcome to The Jesus Podcast, a year of stories showcasing 126 00:07:50,340 --> 00:07:52,740 Speaker 5: the depth of Christ's love through storytelling and the glory 127 00:07:52,780 --> 00:07:55,740 Speaker 5: of God's truth through honest reflection. I'm Zach, your host 128 00:07:55,760 --> 00:07:59,040 Speaker 5: from Pray.com, and thanks again for joining us for another 129 00:07:59,100 --> 00:08:02,300 Speaker 5: story inspired by the Gospels. Make sure that you're following 130 00:08:02,320 --> 00:08:04,620 Speaker 5: the podcast so you never have to miss out. Our 131 00:08:04,660 --> 00:08:08,540 Speaker 5: miracle today holds a lesson inside a lesson. In our story, 132 00:08:08,640 --> 00:08:11,480 Speaker 5: we'll meet 10 lepers who find Jesus and his disciples 133 00:08:11,500 --> 00:08:14,890 Speaker 5: and with the hopes of being healed by a miraculous rabbi. 134 00:08:15,370 --> 00:08:18,250 Speaker 5: In Jesus' time, leprosy was a symbol of both physical 135 00:08:18,350 --> 00:08:21,650 Speaker 5: and spiritual death. As the body decayed from the disease, 136 00:08:21,710 --> 00:08:24,180 Speaker 5: it was a reminder of how the soul decays from sin. 137 00:08:24,740 --> 00:08:27,620 Speaker 5: Looking for physical salvation, the lepers come to the healer 138 00:08:27,820 --> 00:08:30,740 Speaker 5: asking for pity. Each one of them must then decide 139 00:08:30,820 --> 00:08:32,800 Speaker 5: if they're going to obey the words of Jesus in 140 00:08:32,860 --> 00:08:35,980 Speaker 5: hopes to be healed. But out of the ten, one 141 00:08:36,020 --> 00:08:38,280 Speaker 5: will show us that Jesus wants to give us something 142 00:08:38,660 --> 00:08:40,780 Speaker 5: even greater than just physical healing. 143 00:08:41,380 --> 00:08:47,740 Speaker 1: Let's begin. John squinted at the line of them, ten 144 00:08:47,840 --> 00:08:52,760 Speaker 1: men with bandages lining their arms and legs. They hunched over, 145 00:08:53,220 --> 00:08:57,839 Speaker 1: their bodies rotting underneath the cloth. Their suffering was etched 146 00:08:57,940 --> 00:08:58,980 Speaker 1: on their marred faces. 147 00:08:59,679 --> 00:09:04,160 Speaker 4: They're lepers. They must live in some kind of colony nearby. 148 00:09:04,679 --> 00:09:09,000 Speaker 1: The line of lepers approached cautiously, keeping a fair distance 149 00:09:09,070 --> 00:09:13,610 Speaker 1: between them and the It wasn't uncommon for lepers to 150 00:09:13,670 --> 00:09:18,510 Speaker 1: colonize and band together. What was unusual, though, was that 151 00:09:18,530 --> 00:09:22,300 Speaker 1: this colony was seemingly made up of Jews and Sumerians, 152 00:09:23,140 --> 00:09:28,340 Speaker 1: two groups historically opposed to each other, united in suffering. 153 00:09:29,620 --> 00:09:33,790 Speaker 1: The disciples recoiled at the sight of them. However, where 154 00:09:33,890 --> 00:09:37,569 Speaker 1: the disciples saw a group of dead men walking, Jesus 155 00:09:37,630 --> 00:09:41,030 Speaker 1: saw an image of the kingdom of God, He saw 156 00:09:41,090 --> 00:09:47,190 Speaker 1: hurting people united together, seeking healing and restoration at the 157 00:09:47,250 --> 00:09:52,929 Speaker 1: feet of Jesus. It was a broken yet beautiful sight 158 00:09:53,150 --> 00:09:57,710 Speaker 1: to behold. One of them walked in front of the others. 159 00:09:58,610 --> 00:10:01,620 Speaker 1: He had one arm outstretched. and the other tucked away 160 00:10:02,059 --> 00:10:03,020 Speaker 1: in a wrapped sling. 161 00:10:03,679 --> 00:10:07,660 Speaker 3: Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. 162 00:10:08,720 --> 00:10:12,670 Speaker 1: The disciples took steps back as the lepers approached, but 163 00:10:12,710 --> 00:10:16,309 Speaker 1: not Jesus. His pace quickened down the road toward them 164 00:10:16,750 --> 00:10:21,420 Speaker 1: until he got closer, too close for John's comfort. He 165 00:10:21,460 --> 00:10:22,880 Speaker 1: nervously shouted. 166 00:10:22,580 --> 00:10:26,660 Speaker 4: To Jesus, Master, do you want us to come with you? 167 00:10:27,380 --> 00:10:31,929 Speaker 1: Hoping the answer would be no. It wasn't customary to 168 00:10:31,970 --> 00:10:34,990 Speaker 1: get that close to them. There was a reason their 169 00:10:35,050 --> 00:10:38,349 Speaker 1: leper tribe was so far away from any city in 170 00:10:38,370 --> 00:10:42,850 Speaker 1: the middle of nowhere. Everyone knew that the disease was 171 00:10:42,910 --> 00:10:47,470 Speaker 1: a fate worse than death. Jesus stopped when he was 172 00:10:47,530 --> 00:10:49,170 Speaker 1: within earshot and shouted. 173 00:10:49,790 --> 00:10:53,610 Speaker 3: My friends, Have faith and go. Show yourself to the 174 00:10:53,650 --> 00:10:54,590 Speaker 3: priests at the temple. 175 00:10:54,950 --> 00:11:00,290 Speaker 1: The command was a difficult one. He asked outcasts, rejected 176 00:11:00,360 --> 00:11:04,320 Speaker 1: by their city, to re-enter the gates and show themselves 177 00:11:04,380 --> 00:11:08,220 Speaker 1: to the priests. It couldn't have been what they expected. 178 00:11:09,460 --> 00:11:13,120 Speaker 1: They heard Jesus had healed lepers. They heard that he 179 00:11:13,280 --> 00:11:16,850 Speaker 1: even touched them. And now, without a wave of his 180 00:11:16,890 --> 00:11:21,090 Speaker 1: hand or prayer... He was telling them to return to Jerusalem. 181 00:11:21,570 --> 00:11:22,750 Speaker 6: What did he just say? 182 00:11:23,130 --> 00:11:25,110 Speaker 1: One of them asked with disappointment in his voice. 183 00:11:25,510 --> 00:11:28,459 Speaker 3: He just told us to return to Jerusalem and see 184 00:11:28,480 --> 00:11:29,220 Speaker 3: the priests. 185 00:11:30,000 --> 00:11:32,480 Speaker 6: No priest is going to come within 50 feet of us. 186 00:11:33,020 --> 00:11:36,939 Speaker 6: And what about our Samaritans? We're barely welcome within the gates. 187 00:11:37,460 --> 00:11:41,780 Speaker 6: Is obeying Jesus worth the risk of ridicule and rejection? 188 00:11:42,040 --> 00:11:44,640 Speaker 3: What do we have to lose? We came to him 189 00:11:45,150 --> 00:11:46,849 Speaker 3: and he responded with a command. 190 00:11:47,420 --> 00:11:51,800 Speaker 1: The ten lepers agreed to obey Jesus. They turned toward Jerusalem, 191 00:11:52,640 --> 00:11:56,750 Speaker 1: anxious about what awaited them there. They held each other's 192 00:11:56,890 --> 00:12:01,410 Speaker 1: arms as they walked, wondering if Jesus was just trying 193 00:12:01,429 --> 00:12:05,550 Speaker 1: to get rid of them. They walked at their average pace. 194 00:12:06,750 --> 00:12:11,270 Speaker 1: Their sore legs trudged forward, hindered by lost toes and 195 00:12:11,530 --> 00:12:16,350 Speaker 1: crippled legs. But as they walked, something began to change. 196 00:12:17,760 --> 00:12:22,560 Speaker 1: They felt strength returning to their legs. They no longer 197 00:12:22,660 --> 00:12:26,730 Speaker 1: needed each other to keep themselves upright. One of the 198 00:12:26,760 --> 00:12:31,569 Speaker 1: lepers stopped on the road, his chest pounding. He brought 199 00:12:31,610 --> 00:12:36,130 Speaker 1: his arms up and turned them over. They felt fine. 200 00:12:37,429 --> 00:12:41,960 Speaker 1: He uncovered the bandages there, revealing new, fresh skin. 201 00:12:43,140 --> 00:12:45,319 Speaker 3: Everyone, uncover your bandages! 202 00:12:45,340 --> 00:12:45,410 Speaker 2: Yes! 203 00:12:45,790 --> 00:12:49,490 Speaker 1: The others frantically unbound themselves and saw that their scars 204 00:12:49,650 --> 00:12:54,690 Speaker 1: were gone, their fingers restored, and their skin brought back 205 00:12:54,770 --> 00:12:59,969 Speaker 1: to life. Their faces had signs of life again. Their 206 00:13:00,010 --> 00:13:03,090 Speaker 1: teeth had returned, and the hair on their lashes and 207 00:13:03,190 --> 00:13:10,840 Speaker 1: brows grew back. They felt whole again. They felt human again. 208 00:13:12,520 --> 00:13:15,100 Speaker 1: Their hearts nearly burst out of their chests. 209 00:13:15,790 --> 00:13:16,650 Speaker 6: We healed! 210 00:13:17,210 --> 00:13:21,189 Speaker 1: They cheered, skipping along the road, clicking their heels to 211 00:13:21,230 --> 00:13:26,070 Speaker 1: a melody of healing and new beginnings. They waltzed down 212 00:13:26,130 --> 00:13:29,860 Speaker 1: the road together, dreaming about what they would do once 213 00:13:29,910 --> 00:13:34,580 Speaker 1: they entered the city. One of the Samaritan lepers stopped. 214 00:13:35,559 --> 00:13:39,660 Speaker 1: He looked at his palms, then his arms. He felt 215 00:13:39,700 --> 00:13:43,600 Speaker 1: his chest and flexed his legs. It was like he'd 216 00:13:43,620 --> 00:13:47,959 Speaker 1: been brought back to life. He could feel the gravel 217 00:13:48,120 --> 00:13:51,900 Speaker 1: underneath his toes. He could hear the chirping birds and 218 00:13:52,000 --> 00:13:56,910 Speaker 1: see the blue skies adorned with clouds. His companions were 219 00:13:56,970 --> 00:14:00,790 Speaker 1: far ahead, slowly fading from view as they skipped and 220 00:14:00,850 --> 00:14:05,069 Speaker 1: sang their way to Jerusalem. But this man didn't move. 221 00:14:06,050 --> 00:14:09,530 Speaker 1: He snapped his head back toward Jesus, standing a hundred 222 00:14:09,570 --> 00:14:14,890 Speaker 1: yards away. He smiled, pivoted his feet, and used his 223 00:14:15,010 --> 00:14:19,640 Speaker 1: newfound strength to run toward him. He shouted at Jesus, 224 00:14:19,920 --> 00:14:21,380 Speaker 1: waving his hands and shouting. 225 00:14:21,780 --> 00:14:22,780 Speaker 3: Praise God! 226 00:14:22,800 --> 00:14:24,480 Speaker 6: Thank you, Lord! 227 00:14:25,000 --> 00:14:27,420 Speaker 3: You truly are the Son of David! 228 00:14:28,160 --> 00:14:32,810 Speaker 1: Tears slipped over his full and colorful cheeks. He ran 229 00:14:32,890 --> 00:14:36,350 Speaker 1: back to Jesus and fell at his feet, kneeling in 230 00:14:36,370 --> 00:14:39,890 Speaker 1: the dust, and thanked him with his head lowered to 231 00:14:39,930 --> 00:14:45,270 Speaker 1: the ground. John took a step back, not from shock 232 00:14:45,310 --> 00:14:50,340 Speaker 1: at his healing, but with surprise. His bandages were gone now, 233 00:14:50,920 --> 00:14:54,940 Speaker 1: and it was clear he was a Samaritan, a foreigner. 234 00:14:55,460 --> 00:15:00,140 Speaker 3: Jesus, son of David, thank you for your mercy. I 235 00:15:01,060 --> 00:15:05,200 Speaker 3: have my life back now because of you. I was dead, 236 00:15:06,060 --> 00:15:08,610 Speaker 3: but now, now I'm alive. 237 00:15:09,350 --> 00:15:13,450 Speaker 1: The Samaritan's voice swelled with joy and realization that Jesus 238 00:15:13,530 --> 00:15:17,590 Speaker 1: hadn't just healed him, but given him hope for a 239 00:15:17,640 --> 00:15:21,350 Speaker 1: brighter future. Jesus laughed and propped the man up by 240 00:15:21,390 --> 00:15:25,110 Speaker 1: his shoulders. He dusted off his garment and looked back 241 00:15:25,230 --> 00:15:25,690 Speaker 1: to the road. 242 00:15:26,290 --> 00:15:30,110 Speaker 3: Were not ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was 243 00:15:30,190 --> 00:15:33,730 Speaker 3: no one found to return and praise God except this foreigner? 244 00:15:34,370 --> 00:15:35,930 Speaker 1: Jesus squeezed the man's shoulders. 245 00:15:36,510 --> 00:15:41,170 Speaker 3: Go your way, my friend. Your faith has made you well. 246 00:15:41,650 --> 00:15:45,460 Speaker 1: The leper nodded, embraced Jesus, and skipped down the road 247 00:15:45,520 --> 00:15:50,320 Speaker 1: toward Jerusalem. The other nine may have been healed from leprosy, 248 00:15:51,440 --> 00:15:57,360 Speaker 1: but only this Samaritan was given the greatest gift of all, faith. 249 00:16:01,800 --> 00:16:04,170 Speaker 5: The story of the healing of the ten lepers begins 250 00:16:04,290 --> 00:16:07,590 Speaker 5: like many other miracles. Broken men and women coming to 251 00:16:07,670 --> 00:16:11,130 Speaker 5: Jesus to be healed with this heavenly power. At this point, 252 00:16:11,380 --> 00:16:13,680 Speaker 5: it might start to sound like a broken record. We 253 00:16:13,700 --> 00:16:16,020 Speaker 5: know exactly what's going to happen. Jesus is going to heal, 254 00:16:16,080 --> 00:16:18,980 Speaker 5: they're going to rejoice, and then a crowd is going 255 00:16:19,020 --> 00:16:22,340 Speaker 5: to surround Jesus. But let's pause for a moment. There's 256 00:16:22,420 --> 00:16:26,940 Speaker 5: actually something that's happening within the miracle. An extra layer, 257 00:16:27,160 --> 00:16:29,720 Speaker 5: if you will. These ten lepers were on the outskirts 258 00:16:29,740 --> 00:16:32,820 Speaker 5: of town between Samaria and Galilee. We know from the 259 00:16:32,880 --> 00:16:35,800 Speaker 5: text that these ten lepers were both Jews and Samaritans. 260 00:16:36,300 --> 00:16:39,990 Speaker 5: Two groups that vehemently hated each other bonded by their sufferings. 261 00:16:40,550 --> 00:16:43,870 Speaker 5: You can imagine how this happens naturally between Samaria and Galilee. 262 00:16:44,360 --> 00:16:46,760 Speaker 5: Lepers were cast out of each region and forced to 263 00:16:46,800 --> 00:16:50,760 Speaker 5: fend for themselves. However, their need for companionship and comfort 264 00:16:50,800 --> 00:16:56,280 Speaker 5: in suffering transcended their petty cultural differences. Never underestimate the 265 00:16:56,320 --> 00:17:00,290 Speaker 5: power of feeling understood. There were centuries of hatred between 266 00:17:00,330 --> 00:17:02,790 Speaker 5: Jews and Samaritans, but the fact that they could relate 267 00:17:02,810 --> 00:17:08,129 Speaker 5: to one another in suffering bonded them. Christian, atheist, German, Pakistani, rich, poor, 268 00:17:08,270 --> 00:17:12,120 Speaker 5: east side, west side, boxers, briefs, The universal truth among 269 00:17:12,260 --> 00:17:14,500 Speaker 5: all of us is that we've suffered in some way 270 00:17:14,740 --> 00:17:17,480 Speaker 5: and at some point in our lives have longed to 271 00:17:17,520 --> 00:17:21,530 Speaker 5: feel understood and belong. And here's a lesson for us 272 00:17:21,609 --> 00:17:24,530 Speaker 5: as the body of Christ. Is the body of Christ, 273 00:17:24,550 --> 00:17:28,390 Speaker 5: the group of believers that we call Christians or the church, 274 00:17:28,950 --> 00:17:31,709 Speaker 5: is it a safe place? A safe place to suffer? 275 00:17:32,060 --> 00:17:35,280 Speaker 5: A safe place to go through trials? You see, sometimes 276 00:17:35,340 --> 00:17:39,500 Speaker 5: Christian communities can confuse joy with happiness. Here's what I mean. 277 00:17:40,060 --> 00:17:42,820 Speaker 5: Happiness is a feeling, not something to be avoided, but 278 00:17:43,160 --> 00:17:46,400 Speaker 5: not something to be pursued as the highest ideal, certainly. 279 00:17:46,800 --> 00:17:51,040 Speaker 5: Because happiness is dopamine dependent. It depends on circumstance, substance, 280 00:17:51,200 --> 00:17:54,909 Speaker 5: or stimulation. An addiction to happiness can sometimes make us 281 00:17:55,230 --> 00:18:00,590 Speaker 5: run away, bury or avoid suffering and tough conversations. Happiness 282 00:18:00,790 --> 00:18:06,409 Speaker 5: is uncomfortable with being uncomfortable. But joy is different. Joy 283 00:18:06,470 --> 00:18:10,430 Speaker 5: is a spiritual discipline. Joy is learned through acknowledging suffering, 284 00:18:10,520 --> 00:18:13,379 Speaker 5: seeking Christ in the midst of it, and finding meaning. 285 00:18:14,260 --> 00:18:17,139 Speaker 5: Joy is exercised like a muscle through gratitude, prayer, and 286 00:18:17,220 --> 00:18:21,200 Speaker 5: calling to someone higher than your own pleasure. Joy doesn't 287 00:18:21,359 --> 00:18:25,600 Speaker 5: need everyone to feel alright. Joy is comfortable with uncomfortability. 288 00:18:26,080 --> 00:18:29,020 Speaker 5: Joy doesn't need everything to be perfect. Joy acknowledges that 289 00:18:29,100 --> 00:18:32,560 Speaker 5: God is good all the time, even when things are bleak. 290 00:18:33,080 --> 00:18:43,219 Speaker 5: James 1, 2-3 says this, You see, the more comfortable 291 00:18:43,270 --> 00:18:45,990 Speaker 5: you and I become with suffering, the more patience we 292 00:18:46,070 --> 00:18:48,850 Speaker 5: have with others who suffer, and the greater our impact 293 00:18:48,890 --> 00:18:51,030 Speaker 5: on the world will be. You see, if we as 294 00:18:51,070 --> 00:18:54,130 Speaker 5: believers are not comfortable with other people suffering and going 295 00:18:54,150 --> 00:18:57,090 Speaker 5: through hard times, and through positivity and pithy sayings we 296 00:18:57,130 --> 00:18:59,889 Speaker 5: just try and sweep suffering under the rug, we're going 297 00:18:59,910 --> 00:19:02,310 Speaker 5: to ruin our witness with the world. You see, we 298 00:19:02,330 --> 00:19:05,070 Speaker 5: have plenty of people out there who proclaim to hate Christians, 299 00:19:05,490 --> 00:19:07,500 Speaker 5: but what if Christians were a safe place for them 300 00:19:07,540 --> 00:19:12,040 Speaker 5: to suffer, grieve, doubt, and wrestle with hard things? You see, 301 00:19:12,060 --> 00:19:14,939 Speaker 5: just like these lepers, our own divisions of culture or 302 00:19:15,000 --> 00:19:18,520 Speaker 5: beliefs can take the back seat when suffering is empathized 303 00:19:18,580 --> 00:19:22,050 Speaker 5: with and acknowledged. You will be surprised to find how 304 00:19:22,070 --> 00:19:24,710 Speaker 5: many people you will connect with, people who are different 305 00:19:24,730 --> 00:19:28,210 Speaker 5: than you, if you have this shared bond over mutual 306 00:19:28,290 --> 00:19:32,260 Speaker 5: suffering and understanding. Another thing to point out in this 307 00:19:32,340 --> 00:19:36,119 Speaker 5: story is that these lepers were healed through obedience. No 308 00:19:36,160 --> 00:19:38,540 Speaker 5: doubt they had heard about Jesus laying hands on lepers, 309 00:19:38,580 --> 00:19:41,240 Speaker 5: declaring them clean, but they had to obey his word. 310 00:19:41,560 --> 00:19:44,419 Speaker 5: You see, first, Jesus told them to go, and as 311 00:19:44,460 --> 00:19:47,360 Speaker 5: they went, they were healed. Sometimes we want to change 312 00:19:47,400 --> 00:19:49,110 Speaker 5: our life so that we can feel freed up to 313 00:19:49,180 --> 00:19:51,689 Speaker 5: obey God. I'll tithe when I have more income. I'll 314 00:19:51,730 --> 00:19:54,629 Speaker 5: volunteer when I am less overwhelmed. I'll share the gospel 315 00:19:54,670 --> 00:19:57,450 Speaker 5: when I feel less insecure about myself. But it is 316 00:19:57,640 --> 00:20:00,940 Speaker 5: often obedience that brings about change, not change that brings 317 00:20:01,040 --> 00:20:05,340 Speaker 5: out obedience. James 2, 14-18 says this, What good is it, 318 00:20:05,359 --> 00:20:07,699 Speaker 5: my brothers, if someone says he has faith, but has 319 00:20:07,740 --> 00:20:09,780 Speaker 5: not works. Can faith save them? If a brother or 320 00:20:09,820 --> 00:20:12,060 Speaker 5: sister is poorly clothed or lacking in daily food and 321 00:20:12,359 --> 00:20:13,699 Speaker 5: one of you says to him, go in peace, be 322 00:20:13,740 --> 00:20:16,260 Speaker 5: warmed and filled without giving them the things needed for 323 00:20:16,280 --> 00:20:19,020 Speaker 5: the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, 324 00:20:19,300 --> 00:20:21,800 Speaker 5: if it does not have works, is dead. But someone 325 00:20:21,840 --> 00:20:23,520 Speaker 5: will say, you have faith and I have works, but 326 00:20:23,720 --> 00:20:25,500 Speaker 5: show me your faith apart from your works and I 327 00:20:25,500 --> 00:20:28,520 Speaker 5: will show you my faith by my works. You see, 328 00:20:28,540 --> 00:20:32,030 Speaker 5: faith is worked out. Faith is exercised. Faith is given 329 00:20:32,130 --> 00:20:35,570 Speaker 5: substance as we obey and respond to the commands of Christ. 330 00:20:35,930 --> 00:20:38,390 Speaker 5: And that is certainly the case with these lepers. They 331 00:20:38,450 --> 00:20:42,210 Speaker 5: had to obey and respond to the command of Christ 332 00:20:42,530 --> 00:20:46,950 Speaker 5: before they could experience healing. What you desperately want from 333 00:20:47,010 --> 00:20:51,280 Speaker 5: God can often be found on the other side of obedience. 334 00:20:51,780 --> 00:20:54,359 Speaker 5: But that's hard, right? We want God to answer our 335 00:20:54,440 --> 00:20:56,619 Speaker 5: prayer and then we want to use that as a 336 00:20:56,700 --> 00:21:00,200 Speaker 5: springboard for us to start obeying him. But oftentimes that's 337 00:21:00,240 --> 00:21:02,869 Speaker 5: not how it works. God wants you to start stepping 338 00:21:02,930 --> 00:21:05,949 Speaker 5: out in faith, obeying him, knowing that his commands are 339 00:21:06,090 --> 00:21:09,490 Speaker 5: sure and true. And then as you do that and 340 00:21:09,550 --> 00:21:12,730 Speaker 5: create a lifestyle of righteousness and obedience, you will start 341 00:21:12,780 --> 00:21:14,820 Speaker 5: to find that all these things you're praying for come 342 00:21:14,840 --> 00:21:17,880 Speaker 5: to fruition. You see, Jesus says, seek first the kingdom 343 00:21:17,900 --> 00:21:19,939 Speaker 5: of God and his righteousness and all else will be 344 00:21:20,020 --> 00:21:23,900 Speaker 5: added onto you. Seeking God's kingdom first often precedes these 345 00:21:23,960 --> 00:21:27,760 Speaker 5: blessings that you so desperately are searching for. So these 346 00:21:27,820 --> 00:21:29,960 Speaker 5: lepers are healed, but one of them, when he saw 347 00:21:30,030 --> 00:21:33,429 Speaker 5: he was healed, turned back and started praising God. It's 348 00:21:33,510 --> 00:21:35,869 Speaker 5: then that Jesus says, we're not 10 cleansed, where are 349 00:21:35,890 --> 00:21:38,290 Speaker 5: the other nine? Was no one found to return and 350 00:21:38,330 --> 00:21:41,130 Speaker 5: give praise to God except this foreigner? And he said 351 00:21:41,150 --> 00:21:43,660 Speaker 5: to him, rise, go your way. Your faith has made 352 00:21:43,700 --> 00:21:46,359 Speaker 5: you well. In reading this, I'm thinking about all the 353 00:21:46,400 --> 00:21:48,619 Speaker 5: times I've prayed for God to move in my life, 354 00:21:48,960 --> 00:21:51,879 Speaker 5: prayed for a breakthrough, prayed for a miracle, prayed for provision. 355 00:21:52,380 --> 00:21:55,050 Speaker 5: And all the times he answered and I didn't return 356 00:21:55,090 --> 00:21:59,359 Speaker 5: with gratitude or acknowledge him. I just moved on. Books 357 00:21:59,440 --> 00:22:01,420 Speaker 5: can be filled with events in my life where God 358 00:22:01,460 --> 00:22:05,139 Speaker 5: showed up, followed through, healed, protected, provided, and redeemed. And 359 00:22:05,160 --> 00:22:08,260 Speaker 5: I was so self-absorbed, I didn't fall onto my knees 360 00:22:08,320 --> 00:22:11,639 Speaker 5: and thank God for his faithfulness. It is said that 361 00:22:11,680 --> 00:22:16,300 Speaker 5: those who practice daily gratitude are 34% less likely to 362 00:22:16,380 --> 00:22:20,080 Speaker 5: struggle with mental illness and bouts of anxious depression. Isn't 363 00:22:20,100 --> 00:22:24,680 Speaker 5: that wild? We rob ourselves of joy by not exercising gratitude. 364 00:22:25,510 --> 00:22:28,850 Speaker 5: The Jews had festivals, holidays, and meals dedicated to looking 365 00:22:28,910 --> 00:22:31,909 Speaker 5: back at God's faithfulness and meditating on what he did 366 00:22:31,950 --> 00:22:36,129 Speaker 5: for them. Gratitude keeps us tethered to faith and strengthens 367 00:22:36,320 --> 00:22:41,199 Speaker 5: us to press through difficulty. So today, meditate on all 368 00:22:41,240 --> 00:22:44,180 Speaker 5: the things God has done in your life. Turn back 369 00:22:44,260 --> 00:22:47,100 Speaker 5: to him and praise him for what he's done. Thanks 370 00:22:47,140 --> 00:22:49,680 Speaker 5: again for listening to the Jesus Podcast. We have a 371 00:22:49,700 --> 00:22:54,409 Speaker 5: few more episodes showcasing Christ's miracles. Then after that, we're 372 00:22:54,430 --> 00:22:57,030 Speaker 5: going to dive into an extra special series on the 373 00:22:57,070 --> 00:22:57,870 Speaker 5: Sermon on the Mount.