One Returns to the Great High Priest

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 17:13-18 NRSV)

Ten were made clean. Ten with a most horrific disease; a disease that separated them from family and friends, begged Jesus to have mercy on them. He did. Jesus had mercy. They were made clean. The horrible sores and disfigurements just disappeared. But, only one turned back to give thanks to Jesus. Only one was truly grateful for the grace and mercy shown to him and went back to thank Jesus for healing him. Only one turned back to have the great high priest, who is Jesus the Christ, declare him well. We assume that the rest rushed off to abide by the law and show themselves to the priests in the temple so that the priests could declare them clean and they could go home. 

There is one high priest. There is one great healer. His name is Jesus. While we were yet outcasts from our heavenly home, he was wounded for our transgressions; upon him was the punishment that made us whole. By his bruises, we have been healed. How often do we go to him and fall upon our knees at his feet to give him thanks? It is thanksgiving. While we are kind of, sort of, giving thanks for the people around us; are we giving thanks for the one who has healed our sin sick souls? On this thanksgiving day and every day, let us remember to give thanks to the great high priest who has made us whole.

Surely he has borne our infirmities
   and carried our diseases;
yet we accounted him stricken,
   struck down by God, and afflicted.
But he was wounded for our transgressions,
   crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the punishment that made us whole,

   and by his bruises we are healed. 

                                             (Isaiah 53:4-5)

God's Peace - Pr. J

Mary and Martha

Both Marys and Marthas

     As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
     “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”  (Luke 10:38-42 NIV)

Prior to worship on Wednesday afternoon, I watched the women in the kitchen preparing the meal that the congregation would share after the service. We have some very dedicated Martha's. They love to serve others. But, these women are also faithful Mary's. They do not neglect to worship. They are with us faithfully to hear the Word of the Lord on Sunday mornings and now during Lent on Wednesday evenings, as well.

We have many Martha's and Mary's at Christ Lutheran and not all of them are female. It is a good thing to serve together. It is a great thing to be able to worship the Lord together. Join us! Everyone is welcome!

Thanks be to God for all of our brothers and sisters in Christ!

God's Peace - Pr. J