Weekly Devotional Message from David Jones

June 2, 2006

Dear family and friends of WCPC:

In Luke 17 we read the account of ten lepers who encounter Jesus begging him for their healing. He instructs them to go to the Temple and to show themselves to the priests. While in route, they are healed. Of the ten, only one returns to offer thanks to Jesus for the healing they received.

Most studies of this passage focus almost exclusively on the issue of gratitude. It’s certainly the main point of the passage. But there’s another point often overlooked. The healing that Jesus provides isn’t instantaneous. Now there are certainly passages where Jesus does heal a person instantly. But in this case, and in a few others, times passes. What is particularly interesting about Luke 17 is that the ten lepers are required to do something, go to the priest, and while they are being obedient to Jesus, while they are in route to the Temple , they are healed.  

Two things I want you to note. First note their obedience to the command of Jesus. They respond. Their willingness to go is a statement of their faith. Second, please note it was in the “going” that they found their healing—“And as they went, they were cleansed.”  (Luke 17:14)

As a culture we are accustomed to fast food, that even though it may not be that nutritious for us, is quick. We don’t like to wait. We often translate this into our discipleship. We want spiritual growth and we want it now. When it’s slow in arriving, we get discouraged. We question ourselves, maybe those who have encouraged us, and worst of all, we question God.

Discipleship is a process. A process which involves obedience, trust, and waiting. A process that unfolds daily.  Discipleship is a journey of faith. Some days our sense of God’s presence in our lives is so strong we can almost touch it. Some days it seems as if He is no way to be found. Sometimes we can read scripture and a passage will come to life.  Sometimes we can read scripture and nothing leaps out of the text. It may not be boring, but it’s not all that relevant, or at least that how it seems that particular day. Another day the same passage may move us in ways unimagined. 

What I want to say to you this week in this email is be gentle with yourself. Be gentle with others. We’re all on a journey. It’s not that some are further along than others. It’s just that each of our journeys is different. Our journeys are designed by God just for us. No one journey is exactly alike. Be kind of boring if they were. 

Don’t get discouraged. Instead, focus on being obedient, focus on trusting Him while you wait, and keep walking. Keep moving! 

Your pastor,

David Jones