“The difference between ordinary and extra-ordinary is so often just simply that little word – extra.” (Anonymous)

“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

“Taken together, these details orient us to the possibility that Jesus instructs his followers — then and now — that faith is not a matter of believing only, but also of seeing. All the lepers were healed; one, however, saw, noticed, let what happened sink in…and it made all the difference.
    *Because he sees what has happened, the leper recognizes Jesus, his reign and his power. *Because he sees what has happened, the leper has something for which to be thankful, praising God with a loud voice. *Because he sees what has happened, the leper changes direction, veering from his course toward a priest to first return to Jesus.

In this light, this story serves as an invitation to believers — then and now — to recognize that what we see makes all the difference. In the face of adversity, do we see danger or opportunity? In the face of human need, do we see demand or gift? In the face of the stranger, do we see potential enemy or friend?” (David Lose, The Working Preacher website, October 10, 2010)

Apparently nine lepers did not see enough to move them beyond the miracle – they couldn’t see the authority of G-d’s healing presence, the grace of G-d found in the person of Jesus Christ. But one leper shakes himself free from the joy of being “made clean” to realize that his view of reality had changed.  The one who was formerly a leper recognizes through his own healing that he was a walking witness to the reality of G-d’s grace. And through the healing he sees, recognizes and appreciates what G-d did – and does what we all should do – fall at the feet of Jesus and give thanks and praise. 

We all have people who touch us, teach us, who are present with us each day.  When was the last time that we stopped, reversed our steps and told them what a blessing they are? When was the last time we thanked G-d for them and their presence in our lives? G-d’s presence should not only be seen in the miracles of life – but also needs to be seen in the everyday relationships including those we take for granted, and those that we do not even think of. This story reminds us that whether we realize it in the midst of our trials and tribulations, or recognize it many years after the fact, our lives are in G-d’s hands. So we should offer up prayer, praise and thanksgiving as the proper response to G-d’s grace – grace that sometimes smacks us over the head, and often goes without notice.

Pastor Dave

“Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?”  John 12:1-5

There is so much happening in this story about Mary, Martha and Lazarus.  And there are so many questions we can ask: “What was Mary thinking using this expensive perfume?”, and “Is this what discipleship should look like?”  These are questions raised by David Lose on his blog about this text. I have added another question for us to consider: “What is so important about hair?” Doesn’t it seem odd the thing that Mary does with her hair? Why her hair, and why so soon after applying the ointment? Hair up, hair down, a lot of hair, no hair, wacky hair, rainbow hair, who here cares about hair?  Too many people today worry about their hair – but it is a cultural expectation – just like women wearing their hair up in public was a cultural expectation in Mary’s day. But Mary does not care about public expectations in this moment because she cares intimately about Jesus, and so she responds to Jesus with love. This is what we must ponder today.

It really is not about the hair, is it? What Mary does is a spontaneous, outpouring of love and “worship” with Jesus. If she pours oil on his feet, or on his head, and then massages the oil using her hair, what does that matter to us today? What does matter, as far as I am concerned, is what we think about Jesus — and then how we hope to respond to Jesus today – spontaneous, simple, honest response to the love, mercy and Grace of Jesus.

At one time my middle child had hair as long as I had ever seen on one of my sons. He said he had seen the future when he looked at my hair, and so he wanted to grow it as long as possible while he still could. In spite of the comments that he got about looking like a hippie he did not worry about what others thought. If Mary would have worried about what others thought or would have worried that she would be compared to a “prostitute”, we never would have had this marvelous, wonderful outpouring of devotion recorded for us that happened over 2000 years ago.

What can you do today to express your love for Jesus?

Pastor Dave