December 8, 2023 – Does the Bible Say…?

“Does the Bible really say that only one of ten lepers returns to thank Jesus?” 

“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

While this story appears to be a simple story about thankfulness, we soon realize it has a few wrinkles we must address. This is one of the few healing stories where people are healed by Jesus without him touching them. In fact they are no where near Jesus when they are healed. They have all departed to go and do what Jesus told them to go and do: “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” There are questions we cannot get answered – like “How far did they have to go to see the priests?” Another question I would like to know is “Was the one who went back to Jesus the only Samaritan?” And finally, “Were they all healed at the same moment, or were some healed immediately, and others healed later?”

Now, you may say “Why does any of that matter?” It matters because this story is not just about thankfulness. This story is about obedience, thankfulness, community relationships, and faith. Only one leper returns to Jesus to say thank you, and he is a Samaritan. But did he actually see the priest like Jesus told him? And because he is a Samaritan what good Jewish Priest would have given him the time of day? The interesting point to me is that he appears to have stopped on his way to see the priest. He must have turned around when he realized he was healed and went back to see Jesus.

Another question I have is does it matter to us that the only one who returned to say thank you was a Samaritan? All of the lepers would have been ostracized by the community, and perhaps their families as well. Anyone with a disease like leprosy would be forced to live outside the community and would not be welcome without shouting out “Unclean”. If they were healed, and certified by the priest as being healed, they would finally be allowed back into their community, and allowed back together with their families. Who among us wouldn’t want to see our families and give them the unbelievable news before returning to say thank you?

In a world where more and more people feel entitled, having a heart of thankfulness seems to be a rare commodity. Perhaps that is the point – we need to live each day with a heart of thankfulness and not with the expectation that we deserve everything.

Pastor Dave

December 7, 2023 – Does the Bible Say…?

“Does the Bible say the oldest brother usually gets the short end of the stick?” 

“Then Jesus said, “There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.’ So he divided his property between them. A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.”’ So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate.

“Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. He replied, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.’ Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. But he answered his father, ‘Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!’ Then the father said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.’” Luke 15:11-32

If you read the bible, and follow the problems with relationships, you will notice that there is a pattern with brothers – they often do not get along. And the problems usually come between the oldest and the youngest. Consider the story of Cain and Abel – Cain kills his older brother due to jealousy. Or remember the story of Joseph and his brothers who sold him into slavery – due to jealousy. There is Jacob and Esau – Jacob was able to trick Esau out of his birthright and the blessing from their father.

As such, this helps us appreciate the setting of the story of the Prodigal Son. He is the youngest – and he is pretentious, rude, and abrupt. His older brother is respectful, polite, and predictable. The younger son treats his father as if he is dead to him by asking for his inheritance before the father passes. He then goes off to squander his money and property. When his money fails, he decides to return to his father and “reap the reward of his actions.” But it isn’t just his father with whom he needs to make things right. He also must confront his older brother. We have no idea from the biblical witness if he does – or not. All we know is the oldest is standing outside the party refusing to join in the celebration.

Family drama. It has always been a part of the human story. Why? Because we are all a part of the human story – and none of us are perfect.

Pastor Dave