The story of the healed lepers is one which initially appears straightforward – but isn’t. At one level, it seems to be about ingratitude – and that is certainly an element of the intended message. The ten lepers are desperate – they are prepared to proclaim Jesus’ authority so long as it suits them – but once healed, they’re not interested in continuing to follow Him.

As the saying goes, there are no atheists on a battlefield. It’s as if God is just some sort of spiritual Paracetamol, to be used in desperate situations – but once the crisis is past, He is put back in the cupboard without a thought – until the next time.

Reading closely, however, there is another, more important, message; quite easy to miss if we only consider the ingratitude.

‘And he was a Samaritan … your faith has made you well.’

The Jews despised Samaritans, seeing them as half-breed heretics. The Samaritan leper wouldn’t expect to be healed by a Jewish teacher – and certainly not treated as an equal. Like the Jews, Samaritans believed in a Messiah who would be a prophet. Of the ten, he alone realises Jesus as much more than just a Jewish healer, as did the Samaritan woman at the well – and the parable of the Samaritan who helped the man left to die by robbers gives another example of Jesus’ universal love and ministry.  For ‘Samaritan’ read ‘Everyone’.

It doesn’t matter who we are – Jesus offers healing and forgiveness to all who ask. In turn, all He asks is that we follow Him with love and service. Taking His Gospel for granted when it suits us is nothing less than a total rejection of who He is. There can be no greater insult.

A prayerful meditation – How many times?

I held the hammer. I hit the nails squarely.

The hands that made me, I slammed iron through.

I am sorry, Lord. Lord, what of me?                      I forgive you.

I condemned Him. I lied so they would convict Him

I perjured myself in His Presence.

I am sorry, Lord. Lord, what of me?                      I forgive you.

I broke His law. I ate, and watched other starve.

I drank while I saw them die of thirst.

I am sorry, Lord. Lord, what of me?                      I forgive you.

I was atheist. I searched; I weighed the evidence.

I could not (perhaps would not?) believe. I denied you.

I am sorry, Lord, Lord, what of me?                      I forgive you.

I stole. I saw what the rich had, and I envied them.

What was theirs, I took.

I am sorry, Lord. Lord, what of me?                      I forgive you.

I killed. In cold blood, I slew a man.

I thought my prosperity more important than his life.

I am sorry, Lord. Lord, what of me?                      I forgive you.

I was the prostitute.

There was nothing I would not do…

… did not do, for money.

I am sorry , Lord. Don’t worry about me,

but Lord, what of my child?                                 I forgive you.

I heard what you said, but of course, I don’t actually need you.

I never hurt anyone. I’m much better than all those other people.

I didn’t do anything nearly as bad.

I don’t really know much about you, but you can’t blame me for that.

I never had time to think about you, you see. Perhaps when I’m older.

Religion’s really only for children and old people, isn’t it?

And if you’re true, you’ll make sure I’m alright anyway.

So what about me?

I said, what about me?

WHAT ABOUT ME???

ANSWER ME!

HOW DARE YOU IGNORE ME!

JESUS CHRIST, MAN, WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?

With thanks to Anselm of Canterbury, and his inspiration Augustine of Hippo, there are two approaches to faith. (Excuse the Latin, but I had five years of it at school and I can’t help showing off sometimes as a reward.)

Intelligere ut credam – I understand so that I may believe.

The journey to acceptance of the Lord Jesus as Saviour, redeemer and friend into our life takes many different forms. There may have been inspirational sermons – devotional books – moving music – perhaps the witness of friends or family. They set us on a path, and there will be a point at which our knowledge brings some understanding, and we realise that the Gospel is more likely to be true than not – we get to 51%, and if our search has been conscientious, the inevitable consequence is that we get on our knees and accept Jesus into our life. But deep down, when the ship of our life is approaching the rocks, there will still be a tremor of uncertainty. All that witness is ok for other people – but does it really apply to me?

The other approach is this: Credo ut intelligam – I believe, so that I may understand

In other words, faith is key to understanding. Faith. Defined in the acronym:

‘Forsaking

All ,

I

Trust

Him’

Often, we really don’t understand. In fact, we need to realise that we shall never fullyunderstand, no matter how academically rigorous our theological background. Often, belief itself is hard, especially when based on (imperfect) knowledge or understanding. But when faith is beyond me, the Good News version of Psalm 131 is the anchor on which I cling.

Lord, I have given up my pride and turned away from my arrogance. I am not concerned with great matters or with subjects too difficult for me. 

Instead, I am content and at peace. As a child lies quietly in its mother’s arms, so my heart is quiet within me. Israel, trust in the Lord now and forever!

 You cannot serve God and ‘wealth’

Bah. If ever there was a misleading Biblical translation, that’s it. It’s bad enough when the translated phrase reads ‘You cannot serve God and money’. Neither of those words conveys the real meaning behind Jesus’ teaching.

Wealth isn’t about possessions – as John Ruskin said,

“There is no wealth but life. Life, including all its powers of love, of joy, and of admiration. That country is the richest which nourishes the greatest numbers of noble and happy human beings; that man is richest, who, having perfected the functions of his own life to the utmost, has also the widest helpful influence, both personal, and by means of his possessions, over the lives of others.”

We might not have a massive bank balance – but we have God’s creation around us, we have unique gifts, we have a role in God’s plan, and we have the wealth of life itself, giving us the ability to live it in love and service of others. In using our wealth, we are not in opposition, but serving alongside our God. Wealth is a blessing – at least it is when properly understood.

How about Money? Not inherently a bad thing. We can use money for good – it provides a vehicle for the economic growth that allows society to function. It is not evil – it is the love of money that is the root of all evil (1 Timothy 6:10)