Scripture Union Daily Discovery 9th November 2020 – Too Busy Too Bless?
TODAY’S TOPIC: TOO BUSY TO BLESS?
Opening Prayer: Thank You, Creator God, that You know me inside and out. Speak to me now.
Read Luke 17:11–19 – Jesus Heals Ten Men With Leprosy
11 Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy[a] met him. They stood at a distance 13 and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”
14 When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.
15 One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16 He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.
17 Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18 Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”
Footnotes:
a Luke 17:12 The Greek word traditionally translated leprosy was used for various diseases affecting the skin.
New International Version (NIV)
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Reflect: Scripture Union Daily Discovery 9th November 2020
Think of three words that describe how you are feeling. Now reflect on each word in the presence of God.
Jesus is doggedly heading for Jerusalem (9:51; 13:31–33) to fulfill his destiny: abuse, death, and resurrection (18:31–34). His pursuit of his goal is interrupted by a small crowd of lepers: outsiders, outcasts, nobodies. Were they worthy of the attention of the Messiah-on-a-mission? We might not think so, but Jesus suspends his journey, alters his timetable, and responds to their cries for help. A reminder, perhaps, that people (whoever they are) are more important than projects or plans.
Sending them to the priests (14a) was the way that they would officially be certified “clean,” and able to rejoin society. As they went, they were healed (14b), but just one bothered to come back to thank Jesus (15, 16). Shocking ingratitude? Or an example of how easy it is to take God’s blessings for granted?
As ever, Jesus’ actions reveal something of his Father’s heart. Healing ten lepers (17), demanding nothing in return, is a sign of proactive, indiscriminate grace. What would showing such grace to others look like in your life today?
Apply: When was the last time you inconvenienced yourself to help others? Surrender your agenda to God today and give Him the full permission to interrupt you with His plans.
Closing Prayer: Jesus, I don’t want to miss what You have for me by being too busy with my own plans. Open my heart today.
THROUGH THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR
Ezekiel 18, 19; James 5
Thanks for reading Today’s Scripture Union Daily Discovery 9th November 2020 – Too Busy Too Bless?
Scripture Union Daily Discovery 7th November 2020 – Stumbling Blocks
