I apologize for not writing the past few weeks. I have been blessed to be able to serve in this area with a humble servant of the Lord. We have seen many miracles through the tender mercies of Heavenly Father. We’ve also had some unexpected events happen that have taught us a lot. We were privileged to have the opportunity to learn from a member a new insight into the story of Jesus healing the 10 lepers.
When Jesus was fulfilling his earthly ministry, he entered a small town and met 10 lepers. Their leprosy resulted in them having horribly painful sores all over their bodies. At that time people treated lepers poorly, for fear of contracting the disease. As soon as the 10 lepers saw Jesus, all 10 knew Jesus could heal their ailment and they asked him to do so. Jesus told them to go to the priest and they would be made clean. On their way to the priest all 10 lepers were healed. They were all so joyful at being healed, but only 1 of the 10 turned around and thanked Jesus for healing him. I believe we all understand the moral of this story. One leper was grateful enough to turn back and thank Jesus for what he had done. But on a deeper level, what did that 1 leper receive that the other 9 didn't? What was the blessing he received for being thankful?
In Luke 17:18, after the leper thanked Jesus, Jesus replied,
"...Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole."
What this 1 leper received that the other 9 didn't was a whole understanding of faith. He was able to understand that miracles happen through faith in Jesus Christ. To the other 9 lepers, being healed was just a miracle that had somehow happened. Jesus told the thankful leper "thy faith hath made thee whole." The former leper was whole in his understanding that miracles happen, not out of happenstance, but from our faith in Jesus Christ, our Savior and our Redeemer.
Most of us have been like the 9 lepers, but this story can help us learn that our faith is strengthened as we exercise that faith and show gratitude to Jesus Christ, the one who makes miracles possible. I know that the same priesthood that healed those 10 lepers long ago is again on the Earth today and that miracles continue to happen daily. We have two options: 1. To just witness, or be part of a miracle. Or 2. To witness or be part of a miracle, AND seek an understanding of who made the miracle happen, and why the miracle happened. If we do the latter, I know we will be able to receive a confirmation through the Holy Ghost, as if Jesus Christ himself was here, "...Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole."
Elder Tait
2 Years. Make it Count.
When Jesus was fulfilling his earthly ministry, he entered a small town and met 10 lepers. Their leprosy resulted in them having horribly painful sores all over their bodies. At that time people treated lepers poorly, for fear of contracting the disease. As soon as the 10 lepers saw Jesus, all 10 knew Jesus could heal their ailment and they asked him to do so. Jesus told them to go to the priest and they would be made clean. On their way to the priest all 10 lepers were healed. They were all so joyful at being healed, but only 1 of the 10 turned around and thanked Jesus for healing him. I believe we all understand the moral of this story. One leper was grateful enough to turn back and thank Jesus for what he had done. But on a deeper level, what did that 1 leper receive that the other 9 didn't? What was the blessing he received for being thankful?
In Luke 17:18, after the leper thanked Jesus, Jesus replied,
"...Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole."
What this 1 leper received that the other 9 didn't was a whole understanding of faith. He was able to understand that miracles happen through faith in Jesus Christ. To the other 9 lepers, being healed was just a miracle that had somehow happened. Jesus told the thankful leper "thy faith hath made thee whole." The former leper was whole in his understanding that miracles happen, not out of happenstance, but from our faith in Jesus Christ, our Savior and our Redeemer.
Most of us have been like the 9 lepers, but this story can help us learn that our faith is strengthened as we exercise that faith and show gratitude to Jesus Christ, the one who makes miracles possible. I know that the same priesthood that healed those 10 lepers long ago is again on the Earth today and that miracles continue to happen daily. We have two options: 1. To just witness, or be part of a miracle. Or 2. To witness or be part of a miracle, AND seek an understanding of who made the miracle happen, and why the miracle happened. If we do the latter, I know we will be able to receive a confirmation through the Holy Ghost, as if Jesus Christ himself was here, "...Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole."
Elder Tait
2 Years. Make it Count.
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