Presents or Presence

Presents or Presence

Dear LifeSpring Family,

The speaker at Power To Change chapel last week spoke on Luke 17:11-19. Most of us are familiar with this passage of our Lord Jesus Christ healing the ten lepers. 

Jesus Cleanses Ten Lepers
11 On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. 12 And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers,[a] who stood at a distance 13 and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” 14 When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. 15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; 16 and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.” The speaker drew out several lessons from this passage. Like how the ten lepers had to make the decision whether or not to obey Jesus’ instruction to “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” This is huge or may I say, a gargantuan decision because at the time of them having to make the decision they were not yet healed. After they decided to obey, healing followed – “And as they went they were cleansed.”

But the Holy Spirit was challenging me at another level. Am I after the healing – “PRESENT” or am I longing after our Lord Jesus Christ – “PRESENCE.” Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice;” At this Christmas time where we are giving and receiving PRESENTS, let us not forget the PRESENCE of the giver in our lives.