CONSIDER

Jesus loves borders and border crossings. Today he takes us Gospelling along the border between Samaria and Galilee. There are at least two other borders in play as well. As he comes upon these ten lepers, he’s navigating the border between the clean and the unclean; between those who are acceptable in society and those who are exiled. The larger border he is ever traversing is the border between faith and fear. Jesus especially wants to get us across this most important border in life.  

Just earlier, Jesus had this exchange with his disciples:

The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!”

He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.” (vv. 5–6)

It is not a matter of how much or how little faith one has. It is where one’s faith is anchored. Faith is not measured by quantity but in the quality of one’s belief. And the quality of belief Jesus searches for is aligned action. When action, no matter how small, is aligned with the truth of God’s Word, mountains move. Faith is action aligned with truth—in anticipation of a promise realized.

Simplest translation here. We are asking Jesus, “Write us a check.” Jesus responds to this request, “Cash it! The money is already in your bank.” Watch this with the leper encounter. 

“Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”

Translation: “Write the check!” 

When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” 

Translation: “Cash it!” 

Jesus told them to do the very thing they would do if their prayer were answered. The priest would certify their cured condition and readmit them to the community. Notice, though, nothing had happened at this point. They were not healed of leprosy. Jesus was looking for their faith. 

Now, behold their faith:

And as they went, . . . 

Now, behold the mountain move.

. . . they were cleansed.

Faith is action aligned with truth—in anticipation of a promise realized. When action, no matter how small, is aligned with the truth of God’s Word, mountains move. It brings to mind other such Jesus moments as, “Fill the jars with water,” and “You give them something to eat,” and “Take up your mat and walk.” 

And as they went, they were cleansed.

There’s one more bit—maybe the most important bit. Behold the heart of faith: 

One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. (vv. 15–16)

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