November 4, 2003 Tuesday
Merciful Worship (Luke 17:11-19)

All ten lifted up their voices crying, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us". All ten "met him...afar off" and heard and obeyed the Master's healing command to "go"; and "as they went, they were cleansed". However, only one, "when he saw that he was healed", lifted up his heart and "turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God"....only one would draw close enough to be "on his face at his feet, giving him thanks."

We need to consider the same questions that Jesus asked, "Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?" And then we need to admit that we know far too well where they were - for it's the same place where we can be found nine of ten times after the Lord has blessed us with His mercies....anyplace, but on our face at His feet, giving Him thanks. This story is a painful, yet much needed reminder of the ungrateful, polluted worship we have believed to be acceptable in the sight of our Lord. We have falsely assumed that God's mercies on our life automatically imply His approval, but "it is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed". (Lamentations 3:22) We forget that His mercies have fallen upon ALL of His creation..."he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust." (Matthew 5:45) When our love for Him is genuinely transformed into such a selfless passion we will find God's mercies actively coming to life in us in ways we've never imagined as illustrated in this account...

First, the very mercies from His throne will be poured out through each of our lives. Remember that it's only from His throne of grace that we are able to obtain His mercies. (See Hebrews 4:16) He knew in His perfect foreknowledge that only one leper would turn back to return Him the Glory, yet He still imparted His mercy upon all ten of them. "Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful." (Luke 6:36) Is this mark of mercy a trait that you've allowed the grace of our Lord to instill into your life? Are you actively pouring out His mercies on everyone in your life, or only to those whom you feel will praise you for your service?

Second, we will become one of the few who "turn back." Jesus said in Matthew 7:13 that the gate to hell and destruction is broad and wide, and MANY are walking straight through its courts. All ten of the lepers received and experienced the mercies and all ten knew it, but only one would turn back to return the Glory to Him who deserved it. Are you turning back as this solo leper did to fall at the feet of the master in honor and praise, or are you following the crowds through the courts of the broad path, never turning back to return Him the Glory? Yes, His unspeakable love is far more infinite than we've even begun to imagine, but how unspeakable is our love for Him?