November 2024 Newsletter
I never should have had leprosy.
At least, that’s what I used to think.
That was before I met Jesus.
Now, I am a recovering leper. Among other ailments and issues…some of which I brought on myself, others were unceremoniously “given” to me.
When I discovered I had leprosy, or should say, my condition was discovered by my wife, society didn’t know much about this skin disease. It was thought to be contagious, and therefore myself (and all the others like me) were removed from family and friends as to keep them from catching what I had caught.
It wasn’t long after being homeless that I discovered community amongst other lepers, as we were called. Though I was a Samaritan, the only one of the 10 of us, I was welcomed in by the other Jews. Apparently our common condition was a better form of social connection than religion or nationality could ever be.
One day we heard the news of a man known as Jesus of Nazareth. Apparently, he had tremendous powers…and spoke with an authority that none of the religious people in Israel had ever encountered.
And he seemed to love those in society that no one else did. This, combined with supernatural power and divine wisdom had the 10 of talking. And wondering.
Could this Jesus heal us? Restore us to community? Did we dare to hope?
Then, one day, it happened.
Jesus passed through our region. On the border of Samaria and Galilee. No man’s land. Where the sojourners, aliens and lepers roamed.
We collectively ran to the space where he was rumored to be. But we couldn’t get too close. So we called in loud voices. LOUD VOICES!
“JESUS, MASTER! HAVE PITY ON US!”
It’s all we knew. It’s all we had. This was our last shot, best chance at ever hugging our wives. Holding our kids. Kissing our babies. Embracing our friends.
It was Jesus or nothing.
“Go show yourself to the priests,” was his response.
Huh?
Why?
Where was the magic power? The hocus pocus? The big show? The display of the Divine?
But because he said…we started walking. And it would not be a short walk, mind you. Jerusalem was a long was off.
Suddenly I noticed something different in my brothers’ appearances. The skin diseases and rashes were disappearing! Right in front of our eyes!
We jumped for joy! We shouted! We cried!
We even hugged each other! And oh, how wonderful it was to be hugged.
Now what? Some men said their goodbyes…skipping the visit to the priests and choosing to go home instead. A few others said they were going to Jerusalem. Me?
I needed to say thanks.
So I went back to the place we last saw Jesus. Fortunately for me, he was still there.
And in a loud voice…I declared, “THANK YOU JESUS, MASTER! THANK YOU FOR HEALING ME!
I wanted my praise to be as loud as my petition.
To which Jesus said, ever so calmly and compassionately, “Was there only one to return and give thanks? Weren’t all of you cleansed? Rise and go…your faith has made you well.”
Even though all ten of us were restored to our family and friends, given the ability to return to work and be allowed the chance to have a second chance, only one of us returned to give thanks.
Me.
Ever since that day I have determined to make this Jesus known. To declare to my village in Samaria that that Jesus of Nazareth cares about ALL people! That no matter HOW we end up rich or poor, sick or healthy, that Jesus has the power to both keep us and help us.
To restore us to sanity. To make the Divine Connection. To discover the life that He created for us to enjoy. To love and be loved.
And all he seems to want in return is a little gratitude.
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5 Things I’m Thankful
for in November
First, and in no particular order, I give thanks for hardship. I don’t usually express it in the MIDST of it, but only afterward. Without stress and strain, I would be an emotional 11-year-old.
Second, I am thankful for men of grace and truth—the community of men I live with who don’t ignore my character defects but don’t reject me at the same time.
Third…my wife. She lives with an emotional 19-year-old who has many character defects… but still loves me. It's truly miraculous.
Fourth, for our three kids and six grandkids. Each is a beautiful expression of our Creator. Nothing is better than when we (and the in-laws) are together for a meal, games, and laughs!
Fifth, for Jesus. I am continually amazed by Him. His initiative, His grace, His truth. He is from God, for God and IS God…and He cares about you and me.
(And I am thankful for you, too!)