April 2 | Luke 17:11-19

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DAILY READING

Luke 17:11-19

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REFLECTION

Faith that Saves

By Katie Borden

We, as humans, like to be in control.

We can pretend it’s not true. We can posture ourselves as “laissez-faire” people, just taking whatever comes in stride, but as soon as something comes along that upends our curated sense of our dominion, we lose our ever-loving minds.

Or maybe that’s just me, and not you.

I suspect that some of us even approach our theology with a similar subtle intention of being in charge, of controlling the spiritual situation: What exactly does it mean for me to demonstrate faith? How do I KNOW if I’ve been saved? What do I need to DO to ensure that I get what I want from God?

This is all rumbling in the back of my mind when I read the narrative of the ten lepers. While all ten acted in obedience, trusting that Jesus would cleanse them by his word, the Samaritan leper came back to praise God, falling at the feet of Jesus in gratitude (v. 16). There’s so much to dwell on here, but I was struck by something so simple and yet so profound:

His faith was in Jesus.

Not in the priest’s pronouncement of his cleansed status.

Not in his actions.

His faith was not even in his own faith to believe.

His faith–and therefore his loving response–was rooted in and therefore directed toward Jesus.

When this faith was stirred in him, I cannot be certain. What I do find interesting is that, even before he and his nine other diseased companions even began to call out for mercy (v. 12-13) and believe that Jesus might have compassion on them, Jesus had already come near enough to them. The Kingdom of God was already in their midst before they had done a thing. 

I think about that whenever I find myself trying to “earn” my own salvation.

What do I think I am doing that could possibly compel God to love me more or come any nearer to me than he already has?

Even before I could think to ask God for faith, or love, or life itself, he loved me and offered himself to me. God drew near to me before I ever even thought to draw near to him.

He loved us before we even knew to love him.

All that is left for us is to walk in obedience of the gift he has already given us, and then to fall at his feet in gratitude.

PRAYER

Spend some time just thanking Jesus for the ways he has been working in your life before you even knew to look for him. Then, ask him to help you respond in obedience to the love and faith he has enlivened in you.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

KATIE BORDEN

I’m a lifelong member of UALC and have had the privilege of serving our community in both volunteer and staff roles over the years. I love learning, OSU football, good conversations, chocolate croissants, laughter, and sharing about the good news of Jesus in whatever capacity I can.

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