Description
As we explore together our readings for this week, we are invited to remember that our God is an active, living God – who not only hears those who call out, but can and does respond in extraordinary and life-transforming ways. In both Psalm 66:1-12 and Luke 17:11-19 we are going to see examples of people praising our great God after God has heard and answered them. We are invited today to remember not only Jesus’ healing power, but the love and care that drives Jesus’ desire to look after his people and provide for them through healing. When we pray, this is the God to whom we pray: our loving God who is active in our midst today. Let’s use these passages today as a reminder to not only pray for God’s activity in and amongst us, but to remember to thank God for the many ways God does act!
Psalm 66 is a prayer of praise to God, because God has answered prayer. It is a powerful reminder that we worship a God who is living, active, and engaged in our world today. God is able, and does, answer the prayers of God’s people!
In Luke 17:11-19, a miraculous account of Jesus healing ten men with leprosy (an incurable disease in Jesus’ time), we see not just Jesus’ power to heal but also Jesus’ desire to do so. Leprosy was a condition that by law required isolation from others – no hugs from loved ones, no physical contact, no living amongst your community. People with leprosy were no longer ‘seen’; but Jesus sees them. Jesus’ heart goes out to them. Jesus heals them, thus restoring them to their families and community.
For Bible stories that are familiar to us (and even if they aren’t), there is always the risk that the extraordinary will wash over us without a response. Through the resources provided for this week, my prayer is that you will be reminded in some way of the extraordinariness of Jesus’ love and compassion – shown to those in the story, and freely available to all.
