Key Thought

Mercy! Is that what we so often need? Life is filled with many unexpected challenges. Coupled with the predictable developmental challenges that come our way, these unexpected challenges can make life seem unbearable. For those with leprosy in the days of Jesus, life was unbearable. As outcasts and beggars, they groveled out an existence while waiting to die an agonizing and horrible death. Our challenges may or may not be as severe as these 10 lepers faced, but all of us do find ourselves in need of mercy. So what do we do when we find ourselves in such need? We cry out to the Lord with open, frank, and honest appraisal of his exalted position and our deep need: "Jesus, Master, have mercy on me!"

Today's Prayer

Today's Verses in Context

Jesus was traveling to Jerusalem. He went from Galilee to Samaria. He came into a small town. Ten men met him there. These men did not come close to Jesus, because they all had leprosy. But the men yelled to Jesus, "Jesus! Master! Please help us!" When Jesus saw the men, he said, "Go and show yourselves to the priests. " While the ten men were going to the priests, they were healed. When one of the men saw that he was healed, he went back to Jesus. He praised God loudly. He bowed down at Jesus' feet. The man thanked Jesus. (This man was a Samaritan. ) Jesus said, "Ten men were healed; where are the other nine? This man is not even a Jew! Is he the only one that came back to give praise to God?" Then Jesus said to the man, "Stand up! You can go. You were healed because you believed."

— Luke 17:11-19 (ERV)

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