What Jesus Did! 'Mercy!' — Luke 17:11-13

Friday, October 6, 2023

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As Jesus continued on toward Jerusalem, he reached the border between Galilee and Samaria. As he entered a village there, ten men with leprosy stood at a distance, crying out, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!"
— Luke 17:11-13 NLT

Key Thought

Mercy! Isn't 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, [1] they eked out an existence while waiting to die an agonizing and horrible death. Our challenges may or may not be as severe as the ten lepers in today's verses 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 an open, frank, and honest appraisal of his exalted position and our deep need: "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!"

[1] Leviticus 13:45-46 ASV.

Today's Prayer

O Lord God, I appeal to you in the name of Jesus to have mercy on me. Have mercy on me for my weakness, hypocrisy, and sin. Lord, please do not just forgive me, but strengthen me and enable me to be a sturdier and more faithful disciple. Have mercy on me in my time of confusion and need. Heal my illnesses, mend my broken heart, and still the storms of my troubled mind. Have mercy on me as I try to decide your will for my life and as I try to discern the path you want me to take in the decisions I must make. Have mercy on me as I seek to minister and as I need your strength, wisdom, and compassion to help others. Lord God, and Jesus my Master in whose name I pray, have mercy on me. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Psalm 9:13
  • Psalm 25:16
  • Psalm 57:1

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Illustration

Illustration of Luke 17:11-13 NLT — "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!"

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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