Clothesline 269 "Along the border"

Sunday we walked through a fascinating lesson of history and healing. It was the story of Jesus and the ten lepers. You might think that’s the story. But, as always, there is much more under the surface.

Jesus is taking a seemingly insignificant journey from one place to another—simple enough—but Scripture adds this: “[He] is traveling along the border between Samaria and Galilee.” Why is that important? It is a teaching moment. Jesus is showing inclusion of all by not traveling within one country or the other. He isn’t choosing the traditional Galileans over the Samaritans. Okay, it’s about inclusion. But how did this separation happen in the first place?

When the Assyrians and the Babylonians conquered Israel, they displaced all the Israelites and exiled them into faraway lands. Then they brought foreigners in to occupy the land of Israel and that land became known as Samaria. Early on, the Samaritans were considered unclean foreigners, far from traditionalism, but they did come to worship the God of Israel. But the traditional Israelites believed they had watered down the faith. Centuries later the Israelites returned from exile, but the separation remained. Two regions, two religions worshiping the same God in different ways and different places. They had no respect for each other. They had no common ground of worship….“and Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee…” Jesus’ message of “love your neighbor.” But wait, there’s more! On this journey, Jesus encounters ten lepers.

They cry for healing, and instead of Jesus laying hands on them and healing them, he says, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” Which priests? The ones in Galilee or Samaria? We’re not even healed yet! Still, they obey and go. Even when they notice themselves cured while they are traveling to the priest, they still obey Jesus and continue on their journey…. all except one. One of them disobeys Jesus’ command and returns to give thanks to Jesus. And what does Jesus do? He doesn’t reprimand the man for his disobedience; he praises him for his gratitude. “Your faith has made you well,” Jesus says. All ten were made clean, but the disobedient Samaritan, a one from the wrong side of the tracks, receives the greatest blessing.

Our God desires our praise and thanksgiving in all things. Our God is a God of love and mercy, whoever you are, wherever your place of origin. But following the letter of the law is not the most important part of worship. Gratitude, worship and pure love should be at the top of the list.

Where do you fit in this story? A grateful, thankful heart goes above and beyond obedience, and it moves us from a master/servant relationship to a Father/child relationship. It doesn’t get any better than that!