Healed

Had some really great emails (and a few phone calls) about last week's "Getting Out Of The Boat" message. Really inspiring to hear how folks are getting out of their comfort zones a bit and taking a chance to grow in Christ.

Ironically, last night one of my favorite speakers, T.D. Jakes was talking a little along the same lines (although his message was way, way better than you're likely to see from this blog). T.D. was talking about the story in Luke 17 about the lepers who were ousted from the safety of the city and how it was their faith (i.e. them getting out of the boat) that restored them.

So let's talk about lepers a bit. Lepers historically are not approachable people, and at the time were, by law, not allowed to approach others. I'm also pretty sure they weren't encouraged to talk to other non-lepers either. So more than likely all they can do is sit outside the city. Probably leaning up against the city wall just looking for a hint of mercy or pity from others. Nothing to live for. Nothing to hope for. After awhile I'm pretty sure they just waited to die. Get it over with. End this misery...this cursed life.

But then...

Then they see Jesus approach. More than likely they probably first heard Jesus approach. They see swarms of people running and gathering to Him and probably hear others shouting, "Jesus! Jesus!" If you try to see the story unfold, you can imagine these guys slumped over, lifeless, in their tattered clothes and it starts sinking in that Jesus is close by. You can almost see their heads raise slowly and then their eyes light up with the same thought, "He can heal us...he can save us!" To be sure they looked at him as shipwrecked sailors look at an approaching ship or rescue plane. They were screaming, waving their hands and shouting their lungs out, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!"

The Bible says, "When he saw them he said to them, 'Go and show yourselves to the priests.' And as they went, they were made clean." One even came back to thank Jesus and devote himself to his new Savior.

They got out of their boat. Took action. Cried out to Jesus. Had faith. And were restored.

My hope today is that if there's an area in your life that needs restored, whether it's a matter of the heart or a concern you've been carrying around for too long, that you too will act on faith, just as those lepers did, and just cry out to Jesus with all your heart. You'll probably be amazed what happens.

Have a great weekend!