Simply Soul Searching

Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?

On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, they called out, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” When he saw them, he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were made clean. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. He prostrated himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus asked, “Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.”  (Luke 17:11-19 NRSV)

In yet another act of compassion and healing, Jesus miraculously heals ten lepers. Only one of them returns to praise and thank him. “And he was a Samaritan.” Why was this information even included in the story? As we remember in the parable of the good neighbor (March 17th- Which of these three… was a neighbor?), Samaritans were looked down on, not accepted by the Jewish people. This leper, this foreigner came back to thank Jesus in spite of the cultural divide.

This story of Jesus’ act of healing provides additional lessons for us. First, And he was a Samaritan shows us that all of the blessings that come from Jesus are for everyone. To Jesus, it did not matter that one of the lepers was a Samaritan. All of us are loved and blessed the same. Every person. No exceptions. 

Second, perhaps the leper was the only one to come back because he was the most surprised by this act of kindness. The depth of our gratitude increases when we receive a gift that isn’t expected. Or a gift that is undeserved. Or a gift that shows us we are included as the giver’s friends. Or a gift that shows we matter to the giver more than we imagined.

Do we often consider the gifts of God as rewards we have earned, blessings we deserve, tokens of appreciation for the good we have done? Are we missing the deep, humbling, immense gratitude we should have for every gift of God? Of the gift of life itself? Every blessing we have is a gift of God, a gift that has come to us unexpectedly, undeservedly, inclusively, and lovingly. May we never forget how precious these gifts are. May we have such deep gratitude that we thank and praise God with every breath we take.

Are you talking to ME?

Today Jesus is asking, “Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?”

When is the last time you thanked God for something specific? Do you find yourself taking everyday life and gifts for granted? Is there some way you feel as if you have earned a particular blessing? Is there any discomfort to think that God blesses everyone, loves everyone, includes everyone? What would you like to thank God for today?

Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?

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Which is greater, the gold or the sanctuary that has made the gold sacred? Which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred?

Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears by the sanctuary is bound by nothing, but whoever swears by the gold of the sanctuary is bound by the oath.’ You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the sanctuary that has made the gold sacred? And you say, ‘Whoever swears by the altar is bound by nothing, but whoever swears by the gift that is on the altar is bound by the oath.’ How blind you are! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred? So whoever swears by the altar, swears by it and by everything on it; and whoever swears by the sanctuary, swears by it and by the one who dwells in it; and whoever swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by the one who is seated upon it.  (Matthew 23:16-22)

Mark Bradford wrote a helpful commentary about this passage, and here are a few explanatory excerpts:

In Judaism, it was taught that any oath that used the name of God was binding, but other oaths were not as binding. The Pharisees had come up with a complicated sliding scale of objects that were more holy or less holy than others by which they could swear. The holier the object, the more binding the oath. So if they swore by something that was not considered as holy as something else, they didn’t have to keep their oath… 

In addition, the way they had decided which objects were holier than others made no sense. The Pharisees… considered offerings and gold to be holier than the temple that made them holy in the first place. To avoid swearing by God, they would swear by heaven. But as Jesus says here, anyone who swears by heaven swears by God’s throne and by the one who sits on it.¹ 

As a child, I remember saying such things as, “I swear on a stack of Bibles” or “Cross my heart, hope to die, stick a needle in my eye” to convey my earnest promise or sincere honesty. I wonder how the Pharisees would have “rated” my oaths! Would the Bibles or the needle in my eye hold more value? More importantly, I wonder how Jesus must have felt each time I swore on something to substantiate my words.

Everything belongs to God. The gold, the sanctuary, the gift, and the altar ALL belong to God. The things we make, the worship we give, the earth on which we live, and even my eye are ALL part of God’s creation. When we swear an oath on anything, we are swearing on God. There is no sliding scale of what is more or less God’s.

As Jesus’ followers, we are to refrain from swearing- by God or by anything else. Later in this excerpt, Bradford reminds us that Jesus tells his disciples, Let your word be “Yes, Yes” or “No, No”; anything more than this comes from the evil one (Matthew 5:37). There is no varying degree or gradient to truth-telling or promise keeping. Our words must be honest and our integrity clear. We honor God most when we live our lives in truth, in honesty, in pureness, and in integrity. No swearing needed.

Are you talking to ME?

Today Jesus is asking, “Which is greater, the gold or the sanctuary that has made the gold sacred? Which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred?”

Everything is God’s. Does this give you a new understanding of the problem with oaths or swearing by anything, since it all belongs to God?  Do you keep your promises? Do you strive to tell the truth? Do your actions match your words? How might you live with even greater integrity? 

Which is greater, the gold or the sanctuary that has made the gold sacred? Which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred?

¹https://markbradfordsbibleblog.wordpress.com/2011/06/14/matthew-2316-22/

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Do you want to be made well?

After this there was a festival of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate there is a pool, called in Hebrew Beth-zatha, which has five porticoes. In these lay many invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed. One man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be made well?” The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; and while I am making my way, someone else steps down ahead of me.” Jesus said to him, “Stand up, take your mat and walk.” At once the man was made well, and he took up his mat and began to walk.  (John 5:1-9 NRSV)

What an incredible gift we have in knowing that one day, in the end, ALL will be well. We will all be made new. We will experience resurrection into a lovelier and more perfect way of being. Until that day, we will have the wounds and weariness, heartaches and headaches, sickness and sadness, griefs and grudges, of here and now.

In the midst of all of these, Jesus comes to give us abundant life. In the midst of all of these, Jesus asks us, “Do you want to be made well?”

I have wrestled so much with this meditation. It’s difficult to comprehend the healing of the lame man, while even now a parent is watching a child die. It’s difficult to consider the gift of “abundant life” while someone is currently suffering incredible injustice or terrible abuse. Does Jesus really intend to give us life abundantly? Does Jesus really ask us, “Do you want to be made well?” 

Of course he does. Our earthly sufferings are not the desire or intent of Jesus. In the midst of all the suffering, sickness and sadness, Jesus comes to show us we are not alone; he too, has endured so much pain and sorrow. He understands our struggle more than anyone. So Jesus promises us an incredibly better ending. In the meantime, he helps us to make good of all of our days until that better ending- our glorious eternity together.

My ideas of abundance and healing are far less than what Jesus offers. When Jesus promises us abundant life, he doesn’t mean a life that is free of pain or sorrow or burden. Nobody has that kind of life. The word abundant means bountiful and plentiful. Jesus comes to help us live a life that is full, that is lived as freely and completely as possible, that is embraced for all that it offers, that is filled with the hope that only he can give. 

You may have heard how many mystics and contemplatives learn to embrace all of life without judgment. They see that each moment of life has wisdom to offer us. Each moment of life has a hidden gift to uncover, a blessing to glean. Each moment of life can be surrendered to Jesus so that he can help us make good of the situation. I hope to keep growing in this understanding, too. 

Being made well is journeying through life with a spirit of trust in the One who loves us more than we can fathom. Healing can come in a variety of ways, and Jesus brings us all of these. Comfort for pain. Consolation for sorrow. Relief for stress. Companionship for loneliness. Guidance for tough times. Wisdom for confusion. Acceptance for the unavoidable. Rest for weariness. Peace for conflict. Resurrection for death. We receive these gifts of healing each time we open ourselves to them, and we share his healing each time we offer these gifts to others.   

Our healing comes when we learn to embrace ALL of life, with ALL of Jesus.

Are you talking to ME?

Today Jesus is asking, “Do you want to be made well?

What would you like to bring to Jesus for healing today- any trouble of body, mind, or spirit? Will you be ready to help him do the work? Will you have Jesus reveal new or better ways you can honor your personal temple- body, mind, soul? How might you embrace all of life with a greater awareness of the presence of Christ? Does it help you to know that Jesus understands us and has experienced all that we have? How might you be his healing hands for others?

Do you want to be made well?

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How can you believe when you accept glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the one who alone is God?

You search the scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that testify on my behalf. Yet you refuse to come to me to have life. I do not accept glory from human beings. But I know that you do not have the love of God in you. I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not accept me; if another comes in his own name, you will accept him. How can you believe when you accept glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the one who alone is God?  (John 5:39-44 NRSV)

(Earlier in this chapter of John, we learn that the Jewish people had begun persecuting Jesus because he was breaking commandments. They were upset that Jesus had healed a man on the Sabbath and had called God his own Father. In this passage, he was trying to tell the scribes and Pharisees that they were missing the point.)

The scribes and Pharisees felt that they would gain eternal life if they followed every law and rule found in the scriptures (as well as many other rules they created). Jesus was offering them eternal life, but they only continued to look for more rules to obey- and to use against him. He was trying to reveal to them that the scriptures testify about HIM, and yet they refused to see this.

Instead of coming to him for light and life, they used the very scriptures that reveal him to condemn him.

They were also very prideful and egotistical with the way they followed the letter of the law- doing so in order to be praised and honored by one another. The scribes and Pharisees were far from following the way of Jesus; the way of humility, surrender, and denial of themselves. They missed the whole message of the scriptures and the gracious gift of Jesus, God in their midst.

And so Jesus asked them, “How can you believe when you accept glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the one who alone is God?” Do we sometimes miss the point, too? Perhaps Jesus’ words are for us as well.

~ Certainly the Bible provides true guidance for our daily living, but are there times when we might use this guidance to judge others, or to compare our obedience with one another, or strive to earn our salvation? Do we forget the beautiful main story of God’s love shown in the life of Jesus? Do we pick and choose the verses and commandments we like best and ignore the rest? Have we quoted scripture to defend an opinion instead of sharing grace? Do we close our minds to new understandings because we are more comfortable believing the way we always have? Are we willing to spend time in deeper study, to grow in our understanding?

~ Are there times we care about the glory of others and neglect the glory that comes from Jesus? Do we relish the praise or the admiration of others? Do we always need to be “right” or to prove ourselves? Do we lose sight of the eternal glory around and within us as we strive for earthly treasures and admiration? Do our lives truly reflect Jesus?

Are you talking to ME?

Today Jesus is asking, “How can you believe when you accept glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the one who alone is God?”

How does this question personally speak to you? Which problem do you see as your greatest struggle- seeking the glory of others more than the glory of God, or using the Bible for your own purposes instead of his? How might you seek more of Jesus, more of the true Word, in your daily practices?

How can you believe when you accept glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the one who alone is God?

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I was helped by a couple of commentaries for background information as I prepared this meditation. I am grateful to these writers at these sites: Adam Clarke Commentary (www.studylight.org/commentary) and Matthew Henry Concise Commentary (biblehub.com/commentaries).

Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?

But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.’ Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”  (Luke 10:29-37 NRSV)

There were so many reasons why the Samaritan could have avoided being a good neighbor to the man who was robbed, beaten, and left to die at the side of the road. The priest and the Levite may have avoided helping because they would be considered defiled if they touched a corpse. Samaritans were considered impure and were generally scorned by the Jews. For any of them, there may have been concern that the attackers would be nearby to strike again. There was significant cost. The Samaritan had to pay two denarii for the injured man’s keep, which equaled about two days’ wages in those days. All of these threats and uncertainties would certainly be concerning for anyone who wanted to help.  

Jesus uses the story of the Samaritan to shake up and undo our ideas of what being a good neighbor means. Being a good neighbor isn’t always easy; in fact, Jesus shows us that being a good neighbor can be quite difficult. In his example, being a good neighbor means to break strict religious codes, to face and help even our enemies, to brave uncertain situations, and to be generous with our resources.

I’m reminded of a night when a woman came up to my car window while I was stopped at a stoplight. She explained that her car had broken down, and asked if I could give her a ride (this was before we had cell phones). For some reason I felt wary, and I apologized for not helping her as I drove away. I questioned my decision all the way home. But on my way home the next night, she was there AGAIN! A week later I learned that a man had been robbed by a woman in the same area, under the same circumstances.

It’s hard to know what to do, isn’t it? Are we always called to do the right thing, even in uncertain situations? Jesus’ story seems to tell us we should… and there are courageous, selfless people who do.

Or does Jesus’ story of extreme neighborliness open our eyes to all of the easy, safe, or simple opportunities we have each day to be good neighbors? How we neglect to do even these? Does his story remind us to do some difficult things, too- to show mercy to those who have mistreated us, to forgive those who have hurt us, to accept those who are different from us, to be hospitable and generous with others? In doing the small, safe and simple acts of kindness before us- as well as those that threaten our comfort zone but not our safety- we can still make a big difference. 

We can ask God for wisdom and discernment in our daily living. We can also ask God for courageous and generous spirits. We can ask God for the awareness and availability to be ready to serve our neighbors. Most of all, we can trust that God is lovingly providing and always abiding in each of us, inspiring and inviting us to be good neighbors as often as we can.

Are you talking to ME?

Today Jesus asks, “Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?”

What keeps you from being a good neighbor? Lack of time? Not paying attention? Feeling powerless to help? Too many neighbors in need? Strained relationships? What might you do today to make one simple difference? Are you able to trust that God supplies your wisdom and discernment, but also your courage and faith, as the opportunities come before you?

Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?

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Who touched my clothes?

Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years. She had endured much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had; and she was no better, but rather grew worse. She had heard about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, for she said, “If I but touch his clothes, I will be made well.” Immediately her hemorrhage stopped; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. Immediately aware that power had gone forth from him, Jesus turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my clothes?” And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing in on you; how can you say, ‘Who touched me?’” He looked all around to see who had done it. But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling, fell down before him, and told him the whole truth. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”  (Mark 5:25-34 NRSV)

This poor woman had suffered for such a long time, and it seemed that no one was able to help her. Seeing Jesus in the crowd, she went behind him to touch his cloak- and was immediately healed! When Jesus then asked the crowd, “Who touched my clothes?” he was able to actually meet her- and to assure her that her faith had truly made her well.

Today I see another side to the story, and in this way I wonder how much we are like the woman. Notice how she touched him from behind and seemed to attempt sneaking away through the crowds. When he called out, “Who touched my clothes?” she returned to him “in fear and trembling.”

Do we desire a relationship with Jesus that only involves touching his cloak and hurrying away? Do we wish to seek his blessing, or healing, or help- without having to seek his face? How often do we touch Jesus just enough to benefit ourselves, but do not look him in the eye? Are we afraid that if we encounter him more personally, he will call us to follow him more closely, to do difficult things, to give up our plans? Are we afraid he will look deeply into our eyes and see everything we try to hide?

Are we seeking all of his benefits without our commitment?

As always, there is a gift for us in this story. When Jesus asked, “Who touched my clothes?’ the woman came to him with great trepidation. Like any of us who try to avoid close encounters with Jesus, she was truly afraid. But Jesus had asked the question, and so she was moved to come forward and timidly confess.

It was in her precious moment of encounter and confession that Jesus was able to heal her even more fully, by assuring her of her faith, and giving her his peace as well.  

Are you talking to ME?

Today Jesus is asking, “Who touched my clothes?”

Are you more comfortable keeping your distance from all of Jesus? Do you seek Jesus only for your benefit? What would Jesus see if he looked into your eyes? What would you see if you looked into his eyes? What truth would you like to confess to Jesus today? Is there anything that needs healing in you? Where do you also need his assurance and peace? 

Who touched my clothes?

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Can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?

This was written weeks ago, but today the question certainly hits home, doesn’t it? The coronavirus pandemic has certainly been on our minds. May you be especially blessed today. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.¹
Peace, dear readers…

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.  (Matthew 6:25-27, 33-34 NRSV)

This question HAD to be included in our Lenten reflections! How many times does Jesus tell us not to be anxious, not to worry, not to fear? Certainly this was one of his important and often repeated instructions. Jesus knows that we struggle with this one.

We have been given this very precious life, and Jesus came to give us an abundant life of loving and joyful service to God and one another.  “Abundant” means well-supplied, plentiful, and bountiful- a life of meaning, purpose, and significance. Each moment that we spend worrying instead of abundantly living will not add one hour to our lives. Each moment of worry will only subtract– giving us one less moment to freely live in joy and love.

Jesus first instructs us to look to the birds as vivid examples of the way he wants us to live. Birds do not plant, harvest, or store crops; they must rely on God’s provision. We are the ones to plant, harvest, work and save. But are we doing so with an attitude of scarcity and fear, or a spirit of generosity and joy? Do we choose to worry and hoard instead of trusting in God’s provision to meet our daily needs? 

Life gives us plenty of trials and challenges, and birds are not exempt from these. Winds buffet. Storms pummel. Predators come. Nests are destroyed. Eggs are taken. And yet, we see new life flourish. The birds carry on as fitting examples of living in the kingdom of God. The birds rebuild their nests, lay more eggs, sing out their fresh birdsong, and soar freely in the heavens.

Jesus ends his admonition with the sentence, “Today’s troubles are enough for today.” His words do not sound very uplifting, do they? I wish he would have said, “Tomorrow will be a better day!” Yet, Jesus is so very wise. We do not know what tomorrow will bring.

But if we are able to remain in God for this present moment- without worrying about the next one- we will sense the love that is surrounding us, holding us, right now. Seeking the kingdom of God first gives us a new perspective for the rest of our lives. Jesus came to lead us to an abundant earthly life, and to reveal the promise of a glorious eternal life as well. We are so very loved.

At this very moment, we are being graciously provided with all that we need. At this very moment, whether we are coping, enduring, abiding, struggling, grieving, wondering, appreciating or rejoicing, God is here with us, helping us and holding us. May you feel God’s love enveloping you… this day and always. 

Are you talking to ME?

Today Jesus is asking, “Can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?”

Do you have any worries in your soul today? How might you surrender them? In what ways does Jesus’ example of the birds bring you understanding and reassurance? What distracts you from fully seeking the kingdom of God? Are you being moved to live more freely and abundantly? How might you grow in joyful, trusting, generosity? Are you able to sense God’s loving presence in your daily moments? 

Can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?

¹Philippians 4:7 (NRSV)
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Can you see anything?

Some people brought a blind man to (Jesus) and begged him to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village; and when he had put saliva on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, “Can you see anything?” And the man looked up and said, “I can see people, but they look like trees, walking.” Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he looked intently and his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly.  (Mark 8:22-25 NRSV)

Today we have another story of Jesus helping a blind man to see. We can find so much significance and meaning in these stories about seeing, can’t we? We see not only with our physical vision, we also “see” with our imaginations or our dreams. We “see” when we understand, comprehend, realize or discern. We “see” when we discover a deeper or hidden meaning. Through the Spirit, Jesus continues to restore, improve, and clear our vision for all of these different ways to see.

There was a time when I wished that God would show me visible signs like the ones the biblical heroes were given- especially when I needed to make a difficult or major decision. I desperately wanted a burning bush. I wanted an angel to visit. I wanted a dream, or a rainbow, or a sheer silence, or even a blinding light. Now I recognize that often the answers were already within me; I was only afraid to face them. 

We no longer need to see an outside sign from God, because God’s wisdom, direction, and inspiration are within each of us. Jesus has given us his Spirit to serve as our guide. The Spirit is here to help us see more clearly and distinctly as we discern how to live our days. Today’s story of the blind man provides valuable truths and practices that will better enable us to let the Spirit sharpen our inner vision. 

First, Jesus took the blind man away from the village. Perhaps he wanted to eliminate as many distractions as he could. When we wish for clarification or understanding, we would do well to eliminate our distractions and spend time alone with Jesus. Our eyes and our souls can only absorb so much- how much better we are to keep our focus on Jesus.

Next, Jesus asked the man, “Can you see anything?” Jesus wanted to know how much the man already saw, so that he could complete the rest of his healing work. This question can also become an invitation for us to notice what we are already able to see… the things we have already discerned, the things we currently know about ourselves or the situation, the things that have been revealed to this point. We can specifically name the issues that are still blurry or unclear and ask for his help with those. (“I am feeling led to serve in this area, but I cannot see the next step to take… “)

Finally, we read that the man “looked intently” and then was able to see very clearly. We look intently when we actively pay attention, when we earnestly watch where God is moving, when we lovingly seek Jesus. We look intently when we pray, when we listen, when we study God’s word. Where we place our attention determines what we see.

Are you talking to ME?

Today Jesus is asking, “Can you see anything?”

Is there something you have been noticing that you would like to bring to Jesus for clarity? Is this a time to ask him to remove whatever is blinding you from his vision for you? What current distractions are taking your focus off Christ? How might you look more intently at Jesus? What clarifications do you hope to see today?

Can you see anything?

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